How to Prevent AC Blasts in Summer: Critical Maintenance Steps After Heatwave Intensifies!

As temperatures keep rising in India, air conditioners have had more work to do than before. In heatwave situations, the air conditioner operates for several continuous hours under high pressure, causing stress on the compressor, electrical wiring, capacitors, and cooling mechanism.

Although true “explosions” of an air conditioner are not common, overheated compressors, electrical faults, gas leakage, and lack of maintenance could heighten chances of fire hazards.

Due to the prevalence of heat waves in India currently, experts suggest preventing any fault through maintenance instead of waiting for warning signals to come.

Why Heatwaves Increase AC Risks

Air conditioners work at certain temperatures. In case outdoor temperatures stay very high for several days or weeks in a row, the compressor must work non-stop and get rid of the heat inside your home. The extended use causes the pressure inside to increase and temperatures inside the air conditioner to go up.

Clogged filters, an inappropriate amount of refrigerant, and lack of airflow can lead to overheating even faster. That’s why fires caused by faulty air conditioners happen more frequently in the hot season.

Never Ignore Unusual Sounds or Burning Smells

Some of the earliest warnings of an issue with your AC include the presence of an odd sound emanating from either the indoor or outdoor units.

This could be a buzzing sound, frequent clicking, a rattle, or even vibrations of the compressor. In the same manner, any smell of burning should not be ignored.

The burning odor can be caused by overheating wiring or other electrical components of your system. If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to turn off your AC.

Clean Filters Regularly to Reduce Pressure on the System

A dirty air filter is among the most frequent sources of inefficiency of an AC system during the summer season.

The accumulation of dust particles leads to poor air circulation. This, in turn, increases the burden on the compressor and other electrical components because the air conditioner has to strain more when cooling.

Regularly cleaning air filters, especially during the summer, two to three times per week will help promote better air circulation, save electricity, and cool down the room faster.

Check Electrical Wiring and Power Connections

However, most cases of fires due to ACs are caused by poor electrical connections, rather than anything going wrong in the cooling unit.

Poor wiring, frayed cables, overloaded plug points, and poor quality extension boards can cause too much heat.

It is vital for homeowners to make sure that their AC units are plugged into an individual power line, as recommended by manufacturers.

In houses that are a little older, regular checks of wires by an electrician become even more crucial.

Keep the Outdoor Unit Well Ventilated

The outside condensing unit is very important in the process of releasing heat from the machine. If the surroundings of the machine are obstructed by walls, trash, shrubs, and any other object stored nearby, heat will not be released easily.

This results in high temperatures on the unit, and it leads to increased wear on the compressor. Proper space must be provided around the machine.

Do Not Run the AC Continuously at Extremely Low Temperatures

People often tend to lower their AC’s temperature to 16°C or 18°C when it is very hot outside, hoping that this would speed up the cooling process.

However, very low temperatures put the AC’s compressor under unnecessary pressure by extending its working time without significantly increasing the efficiency of the cooling process. The recommended temperatures are between 24°C and 26°C.

Schedule Professional Servicing Before Peak Summer

The only way to minimize the risk associated with AC is preventive servicing. A professional will check the amount of refrigerant, electrical wiring, operation of the compressor, capacitors, the drainage system, and cooling coils.

Many major malfunctions occur slowly and will not become apparent to homeowners until there is some damage already done.

By performing an annual service prior to hot weather, you can avoid these types of problems.

Watch for Refrigerant Leaks and Ice Formation

Leaking of the refrigerant will affect the cooling ability as well as increase the load on the compressor.

Likewise, the presence of ice around the coil is an indication that there is restricted air flow in the cooling system.

Both instances mean that the air conditioner has to work harder than necessary and thus should be attended to immediately to avoid eventual breakage of the compressor.

Protect Your AC During Voltage Fluctuations

Increased power requirements and voltage fluctuation sometimes occur during summer months. Voltage surges may cause damage to sensitive AC elements and cause electrical issues.

Installation of a voltage stabilizer in appropriate situations and correct earthing can ensure that voltage surges do not harm the system. It is especially true for areas facing frequent power fluctuations during heatwaves.

Why Modern ACs Still Need Maintenance

Most people think that new air conditioning units do not require any maintenance at all. Nonetheless, even the latest inverters require good airflow, proper electrical work, and working compressors.

If not maintained properly, their performance drops and stress builds up internally. Technology makes the process more effective, although it does not reduce its necessity.

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Conclusion

With the increasing heat waves in India, there have never been such high demands on air conditioning units.

There is no sudden fire from the AC unit; rather, such events take place due to neglect, poor upkeep of the unit, or overburdened circuits.

Cleaning the filter regularly and maintaining ventilation will lower any chances of overheating and breakdown of equipment.

It is better to maintain AC units and keep them away from the heat than wait for an explosion in case the unit is overworked.

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