Reasons Your HVAC Is Overheating And Breaking Down

Although it is normal for the HVAC system to heat up occasionally due to increased usage, an underlying component malfunction could occur when your appliance overheats. Since overheating will trip the circuit breaker, turning your system off, you must engage an HVAC technician for a diagnostic callout. They will assess the functionality of the components and remedy the problem to restore comfort in your home. The following are reasons your cooling and heating system is overheating and breaking down.

Leaky Refrigerant

The refrigerant circulates in a closed loop from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit; hence the level does not deplete with use. However, the refrigerant lines may degrade over time, weakening connections that leak the coolant. Moreover, if formic acid forms on the coils, it may corrode the tubes, causing a coolant leak. As a result, your system will overheat as it works too hard to provide desired temperatures. Thus, you should hire an HVAC expert to replace the copper tubes with aluminum to prevent acid corrosion and seal the holes for maximum cooling capacity.

Clogged Filters

As air filters trap airborne particulates, they may clog with debris build-up that impedes airflow into the system. Consequently, your system will strain to draw adequate air for cooling or heating. This causes it to overheat as it attempts to restore normal airflow in your home, causing your circuit breaker to trip. Therefore, it is wise to contact an HVAC repairer to replace your filters if they are used up. If they are washable, they will clean them for proper airflow into the system.

Dirty Condenser Coils

Condenser coils dissipate heat from the refrigerant outdoors. These coils are housed by the condenser unit on your home's exterior, making it prone to dirt and debris from the environment. Over time, debris collects on the condenser coils, forming insulation that restricts heat transfer. As a result, your heating appliance will overheat and trip the circuit breaker. Thus, you should engage an HVAC specialist to clean dirt and grime from the coils for proper heat emission.

Loose Electrical Connections

The electrical connections may loosen during the system's operation due to age-related deterioration and vibrations. Additionally, they may corrode, causing high or low voltage that overheats the electrical components. Consequently, the wires' insulation will melt and might cause a short and component burnout. Therefore, you should engage a repair expert to properly inspect and assemble the electrical connections for the right current flow.

Overheating will result in your heating and cooling system tripping the circuit breaker, rendering it inoperable. Thus, you should hire an HVAC expert to service your system regularly and ensure peak functionality to prevent it from overheating. 

Contact a local HVAC contractor for more information. 


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