Your air conditioner may produce cool air, but it isn’t immune to overheating. If your air conditioner is overworked or improperly maintained, it may need to be repaired or replaced by an HVAC contractor. Learn more about how to prevent overheating so you can avoid paying for costly repairs and enjoy cool indoor temperatures all summer long.

Why Air Conditioners Overheat

1. Dirty Coils

Your air conditioner manipulates the temperature around it by pressurizing and decompressing refrigerant inside its coils. When the exterior compressor coil is coated with dust or debris, it can't release heat as effectively as intended. As a result, the whole system will run hotter and lose cooling power. Cleaning the compressor coil at least once a year will return the system to normal.

2. Dirty Filters

A clogged air conditioning filter blocks airflow. To compensate, your air conditioner's fan will run faster and faster the more dust is in the filter, which can lead to overheating from the friction. Cleaning the filter every one to three months can easily prevent this. To check your filter, take it out and hold it up to the sun. If you can't see light through the filter, it is clogged and needs cleaning.

3. Low Refrigerant

Another factor affecting the ability of your air conditioner's coils to redistribute heat is the amount of refrigerant inside. They're designed to run at a specific pressure. When refrigerant seeps out, it affects the system's temperature and pressure calculations. If your air conditioners coils are leaking or low on refrigerant, an HVAC contractor can seal these leaks and replenish the refrigerant.

If you've noticed a problem with your home's cooling system and need an HVAC contractor to fix it, call Kendall's Heating & Air in Hiawassee, GA. With over 40 years of experience in Towns County, they offer full-service air conditioning repair and installation. To get a free estimate, call this HVAC contractor at (706) 896-0830 or learn more about their services online.