Tuckers Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing Blog

Air Conditioning Tip: What to Do if Your AC Trips the Breaker

Your air conditioning system is one of the most important components of your home, especially right now as we head into the hottest part of the summer. Your AC uses a lot of electricity to keep your home comfortable which can put a strain on your electrical system. If your AC keeps tripping the breaker, it can be an indication that you need AC repair.

Your home’s main electrical line comes from your utility company and ties into your circuit breaker which is responsible for distributing power throughout your home. Most of your larger appliance will have their own dedicated circuit because of how much energy they use—including your AC system. If your air conditioner is causing its circuit to overload then the breaker will flip and cut off power to the AC in order to protect the system. Here’s why that might be happening.

  • Electrical problem – Your AC is a complex system, with many mechanical and electrical parts needing to work together to cool your home. Faulty wiring or a bad capacitor can cause your AC to try to use too much electricity, which can trip your breaker. A failing or overloaded compressor is also a frequent cause of this problem.
  • Older AC system – If you have an air conditioning system that is older it could have a number of things wrong with it that causes it to need more energy. As it demands more energy the flow of electricity through the breaker will increase which could cause it to flip.
  • Frozen evaporator coils – Another issue that could cause your AC to demand more electricity is if the evaporator coils are frozen. This problem can cause by a clogged air filter, low refrigerant or a broken fan motor.

If you notice that your AC isn’t turning on or if you are having any other problem, call Tuckers Air Conditioning & Heating. We offer comprehensive air conditioning services to Bethesda, MD and beyond.