Your air conditioner can suffer from all sorts of mechanical problems through the normal course of operation, simply because of the wear and tear that the internal components take from constantly running and exposure to the elements. One of the most common problems which can afflict an air conditioning unit is chronic overheating, which can reduce the effectiveness of the unit while also increasing your energy bills. Understanding some of the common reasons why your air conditioner may be overheating can help you troubleshoot it and get it back to normal operation again as soon as possible.

Clogged Air Filter

The most common, and thankfully also the easiest to fix, reason why your air conditioner may be overheating is that the air filter is clogged with dust and other contaminants. You can easily remove your air filter from your air conditioner by yourself either by hand or using a screwdriver, depending on the model. Be sure to check the owner's manual to determine where the air filter is located, but it should be clearly marked on the interior portion of your air conditioner. You can then take the clogged air filter into a hardware store to match it to a replacement filter that properly fits. In general, you should change your filter every few months in the future to ensure that overheating doesn't occur again.

Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser is the exterior part of your central air conditioning unit and works to pump out the heat within your home through its series of coils. If the condenser coils are covered with dirt or other debris, they will not be able to dump the heat that your air conditioner is producing fast enough, resulting in the entire unit overheating. You can purchase condenser coil sprays at most hardware stores, which will eat their way through dirt and muck and get your coils clean and operating at peak efficiency again in no time.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Finally, if you notice that your unit is overheating, and you notice that the condenser has ice built on it, coupled with your unit's massively reduced performance, your air conditioner may be suffering from a refrigerant leak. This can occur due to damage to one of the refrigerant lines, causing the gases inside to leak out and the unit to run constantly in an attempt to make up for lost efficiency (hence the ice).

For more information, contact air conditioning services in your area.