When you're in the midst of a summer heatwave, you rely on your air conditioner to make life more comfortable. However, your AC can struggle with the heat just like you do. Your AC is more likely to have problems, such as a blown fuse, during the hottest days of summer when the unit runs almost nonstop. Here's how to tell if your AC has a blown fuse, what causes the problem, and how to fix it.
How To Tell If Your AC Blew A Fuse
If your air conditioner blows a fuse, it stops working, so you definitely know something is wrong. You might hear a humming noise coming from the unit, but your AC won't blow cold air. The fuses in your AC work like the circuit breaker in your electrical panel. The fuses blow when there is a dangerous power draw and the AC shuts down so it won't be damaged.
The AC fuses are usually in the small disconnect box that's mounted near your electrical panel. Since working around electricity is dangerous if you don't have experience, call an air conditioning repair service to check the voltage in the disconnect box. This can verify if your AC problem is a blown fuse or if something else is wrong.
What Causes An AC Fuse To Blow
Anything that causes your AC to work harder or run longer can stress the unit and cause a fuse to blow. When the weather is very hot, the components in the condenser outside are already under stress, and the added stress of blocked airflow or low refrigerant could be enough to cause the fuse to blow. That's why blown fuses are more likely to happen during heatwaves.
A blown fuse could be caused by a dirty filter or blocked airflow through the condenser or air handler. The cause might be due to a bad capacitor in the condenser, faulty wiring, or a condenser fan that's not operating optimally. Any part in the condenser that affects how well the refrigerant moves through the AC could fail, make your AC overwork, and blow a fuse.
How A Blown Fuse Problem Is Repaired
An air conditioning repair service can replace a bad fuse with a new one and get your AC working again. However, a blown fuse can be a symptom of a bigger problem that needs repairs. If the right repairs aren't done, the new fuse may blow too. The technician might need to repair a refrigerant line, replace the capacitor, or clean the system to improve airflow. The problem might even be a simple clogged filter you forgot to change.
The technician will pinpoint the problem, make repairs, and change the fuse, and your AC will be ready to keep you cool when the weather is sweltering outside.