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During hot weather, your AC unit works hard to keep your home cool and comfortable. Whether you use a window unit or central HVAC system, your air conditioning relies on a sufficient power source. Many wonder if they need a dedicated breaker for their AC unit, especially if they experience electrical wiring problems when their HVAC kicks on.
Keep reading to learn whether your AC unit needs a dedicated breaker and when to take advantage of professional HVAC services in Bethel, PA.
How to Tell if Your AC Needs a Dedicated Breaker
Many factors determine whether your AC unit needs a dedicated circuit breaker. Smaller window AC units typically won’t need one, but beyond this exception, you should know what to consider when deciding on a dedicated breaker for your HVAC system.
Air Conditioner Size and Required Electricity
Larger air conditioner units, such as central HVAC systems or ductless mini-splits, always need a dedicated breaker. The parts inside these appliances use more electricity, endangering the well-being of other devices or electrical products on the same breaker. General rule of thumb states that the unit should have a dedicated circuit breaker if your air conditioner requires more than seven amps to function.
If you don’t have a dedicated breaker for your AC unit, attempted DIY projects may create serious electrical problems. Hire a professional HVAC technician or licensed electrician to install a dedicated breaker for you.
Home and Room Size
The larger the square footage your AC needs to cool, the more the unit will have to work. Central HVAC systems must attend to your entire home, requiring them to need their own circuit breaker since they pull so much electricity. Ductless mini-splits may only need to cool one room, but regardless of the space, they often draw enough power to require their own breaker.
Window AC units often don’t need their own circuit breakers, but this also depends on the room size they need to cool. For example, a small bedroom may not need a high-amp condenser unit, but a large kitchen could require a bigger system that needs its own circuit breaker.
Other Appliances on the Breaker
Some circuit breakers power entire walls or portions of your home, allowing you to run multiple appliances, lights, and other power outlets. If you place your window unit in a room with multiple electronics plugged in on the same circuit, you should consider adding a breaker just for your AC. Central HVACs pull too much power while on a circuit with other appliances, which can cause circuit breaker trips and problems with your home’s functionality.
Do I Already Have a Dedicated Circuit?
If you experience problems with your electricity or want to install a new HVAC system, check whether you already have a dedicated breaker for your AC unit. Follow these steps to determine whether you need to install a new breaker:
Step One: Check Out Your Breaker Panel.
Open your breaker box and check each breaker. Many homeowners label breakers, so you know what’s running on which circuits. Look for a label with “AC” or “Air conditioner” written on it.
In some cases, past owners may have skipped relabeling circuits. You can test different breakers by switching them off and on and seeing which electrical outlets respond.
Step Two: Check Outlets
Most outlets correspond to 120 volts. If you find an outlet with a higher or lower voltage than 120, it may have a dedicated breaker. You can use the same process of elimination in step one to discover which breaker has that outlet.
Step Three: Check Tripping Breakers
A constantly tripping breaker that shuts off your AC indicates the outlet’s breaker. If this happens continuously, your AC doesn’t have a dedicated breaker and requires a new installation.
What Happens if I Don’t Use a Dedicated Breaker for My AC?
Homeowners may underestimate the problems caused by having their AC on the wrong breaker. Below are some common issues that result from not having a dedicated AC breaker.
Overloaded Circuit
Circuits provide electrical currents to your appliances and electronics, including your air conditioner. Every outlet in your home attaches to a current for consistent electricity. Circuits have various amounts of electrical current, allowing you to use some circuits for multiple outlets and electrical components.
All circuit breakers have safety measures to protect your home in the case of an electrical malfunction. The breaker will flip and kill the power if too many electrical items are on one circuit. A constantly tripping breaker may indicate that your AC unit needs its own circuit breaker.
Electrical Fires
Faulty wiring can trick your circuit breakers into not flipping, resulting in a dangerous amount of electricity warming your wires. Too much warmth could cause the wiring to melt, catching the surrounding insulation on fire and creating a hazardous situation in your home.
Extension Cords vs. Direct Plug
This tip applies primarily to window units or ductless mini-splits, which often have the plugs in the same room as the unit. When plugging in your AC, you may feel tempted to use an extension cord to free up more outlet space or lead the unit’s cord out of sight. However, if the extension cord doesn’t have the necessary power, you may create an electrical problem.
Excess cables also pose tripping hazards and make your AC unit vulnerable to pets chewing on them. Plugging your AC into a nearby outlet is a safer way to power the unit.
Professional HVAC Services in Bethel, PA
When you have problems with your air conditioning, a professional team of licensed HVAC contractors can help you fix them. Whether you need a new circuit breaker for your AC unit or HVAC repairs, our Topline Heating & Air technicians can help. Call (717) 628-6825 for the best HVAC repair and installation services in Bethel, PA.
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