The summertime heat and humidity in Elyria and Oberlin take a heavy toll on your air conditioner, so problems can pop up from time to time. An A/C tripping the circuit breaker is one of those problems. Understanding the causes will help you decide when to call an air conditioning technician.
Your Home’s Electrical System
Before you blame your air conditioner, make sure the problem isn’t within your electrical system. Your home’s wiring can loosen as it expands and contracts with temperature changes. Loose connections in the breaker box or in the A/C wiring can cause overheating that trips the breaker.
Although circuit breakers last decades, they eventually wear out. A failing breaker can trip unexpectedly or otherwise malfunction. A breaker that’s hot or smells like burning plastic, looks black or melted, or has frayed wires can trip and shut off your A/C.
Resetting an undamaged breaker once is safe, but if it trips again, contact a technician. Loose wires, bad circuit breakers, and other electrical problems pose a fire hazard and should be addressed by a professional.
Air Conditioner Malfunctions
An HVAC system issue may also be the reason for an A/C tripping the circuit breaker. Restricted airflow can cause overheating that will trip the breaker. To ensure good airflow, check your air filter and replace it if you find it caked with dust.
A dirty outdoor condenser unit can impair airflow and prevent the refrigerant from releasing the heat it absorbs from your home. This not only reduces your system’s efficiency, but can also cause it to overheat and trip the breaker. If your outdoor unit is dirty, use a stiff brush to remove leaves and other debris from the fins. Remove the unit’s top and use a hose to spray down the fins from the interior out.
Other possible causes—including a weak or locked-up compressor, refrigerant leak, and trouble with the fan—require care from a technician.
For more help with an A/C that’s tripping the circuit breaker, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area