Air conditioner usage is prevalent in every part of the world that is witnessing a hotter summer than usual. The best way to get relief from the sweltering heat is with the installation of the air conditioning units that can provide relief even during the warmest summer season. When the entire world is facing climate change effects, the best way to deal with the heat wave is the use of air conditioners inside your home. An efficient and well functioning AC can be a great way of dealing with scorching temperature as it is one of the most popular and desirable home appliance that you will need. While offering the much needed comfort and relief, air conditioner can also pose a serious risk of fire or explosion that might be caused due to the overheating of the AC unit. When you find that the air conditioning unit of your home can become a safety hazard then it is important that you look for ways to avert the risks so that your loved ones and property can be protected. With proper information and safety measures, you can be safe from AC explosion so that you can prevent any kind of injury or accidents.
Air conditioner is a household appliance that is made up of several components like condenser, compressor, evaporator and expansion valve that works together for cooling the indoor air. While an efficiently functioning unit can be a great way of enjoy a cool and comfortable temperature, any problem with any of these components might disrupt the normal functioning of the unit. The presence of butane and propane in the gas based coolants of the air conditioner can be the reason for the explosion. But there are many other reasons that might lead to the explosion and hence it is important to inspect and maintain the unit regularly to prevent these kinds of incidents and accidents.
Know the signs of air conditioner explosion
While the majority of the explosion can be very severe, there are certain cases in which the explosion can be minor. Regardless of the intensity of the explosion, you need to take proactive steps to handle the situation so that it does not lead to serious consequences. The most common signs of the explosion include-loud noise, smoke, sparks, burning smell along with overheating of the AC unit and frequent tipping due to the accident. Therefore, if you want to protect your loved ones, then you should identify these signs at the earliest so that any major accidents can be averted. Your property can also be protected when you know how to handle the explosion and avoid it at the earliest so that it does not damage your property or belongings.
Reasons for air conditioning unit blasts
Dirty coils- the condenser coils of the air conditioning units tend to accumulate dust, dirt and grime which might prevent the AC from expelling the excess heat from the unit. When the unit works hard to keep the space cool, an increased pressure is created and the compressor will get overheated and stop functioning leading to an AC explosion.
Blocked suction lines- when the refrigerant lines of the AC are damaged or blocked, it stops the unit from cooling effectively. This will result in excess pressure on the unit and ignoring this problem can be very serious leading to explosion in rare cases.
Insufficient lubricant– the grease present in the AC unit performs a vital function for lubricating every component for its optimal functioning. There are many problems that might arise due to inadequate lubrication which might lead to combustor failure or explosion. Therefore, make sure that the AC has ample amount of lubricant so that it remains properly functioning without posing any kind of threats or risks.
Low refrigerant load– breakage or gaps in the coolant lines of the air conditioning unit can result in leakage of refrigerant. This might result in more pressure on the compressor for cooling the room and hence the compressor might fail due to the added pressure and it can eventually lead to an explosion.
Gas leakage– another very common reason for the AC explosion is gas leakage and the explosion occurs due to the excess pressure that is caused due to the leakage. Additionally, gas leakage can also damage the compressor of the AC units and hence timely maintenance of the unit is extremely important so that even a minor problem can be identified and repaired immediately.
Voltage fluctuations– the efficiency of the AC compressor unit is compromised due to constant voltage fluctuations and eventually it can lead to AC explosion. The use of stabilizer is recommended in places with constant voltage fluctuations so that it can stabilize the voltage and the risks of explosion can be minimized.
Cooling fan failure– the cooling fan is an important component of the air conditioner that performs the function of cooling the unit during its operations. The fan needs to work efficiently so that pressure is not exerted on the compressor and it does not overheat or explode when you don’t follow the right steps.
Tips for preventing AC explosion
Air filter change– as dust, dirt and grime tends to accumulate on the air filters of the AC unit; you need to get the filters changed on a regular basis. Clogged filters results in overheating and it can eventually lead to explosion of the AC unit. Thus, if you want to ensure that there is proper airflow inside the unit, you need to get the air filters changed regularly so that any kind of explosion risks can be eliminated.
Maintenance of AC unit– the air conditioning unit should be well maintained and cleaned so that overheating and efficiency loss can be prevented. Especially when you have outdoor unit, you need to be even more careful because the risks of blockage due to twigs and leaves is higher in the outdoor units. Therefore, you should get the entire air conditioning unit cleaned so that there is no kind of risks and it can result in optimal performance of the unit.
Follow right ventilation– while installing air conditioning units at your property, you need to ensure that you have ample space in between the AC unit and wall so that it facilitates proper ventilation. With at least two feet of space, the AC unit will enjoy an uninterrupted airflow so that the unit does not get heated or there is no risk of explosion. The risks of explosion can be minimized by ensuring that no flammable liquid is stored near to the AC unit.
Regular AC maintenance– the best way to avoid AC explosion is by maintaining the air conditioner on a regular basis. For this you will need to hire experienced and qualified HVAC professionals who can handle the tasks of AC maintenance easily and efficiently. These exerts will also conduct a thorough check of the AC unit for finding any issues so that it can be resolved quickly before it becomes a major threat for the household. The maintenance of the air conditioner involves different steps like checking refrigerant levels, replacing air filters and making sure all the components of the air conditioner is functioning in an optimal manner.
Avoid overheating of the air conditioner– the best way to reduce the risk of AC explosion is by giving ample rest to the appliance during its usage. Don’t keep the unit running for a long stretch of time as it can put excess strain on the compressor and eventually there will be risks of overheating and explosion. Even during summer months, always give ample rest to the unit so that it can become cool and you can enjoy a comfortable indoor temperature without any kind of risks.
Follow safety standards– with rising case of AC blasts during the summer months, it has become even more crucial to follow the Air conditioners according to the safety standards. There are some explosion proof air conditioners that are available in the market and you need to do proper research so that you will get the AC that does not cause any kind of stress or panic due to risks of explosion.
Hire professionals for inspection and maintenance
If you want your air conditioner to run efficiently, make sure that you are hiring certified and qualified professionals for the installation of the AC. There are many reasons why you should only hire professionals because improper installation of the unit can result in pressure issues, refrigerant leaks and risks of explosion. The best way of preventing fire and explosion risks is by adding safety features to your units and maintaining it regularly so that you will get complete peace of mind. Investing in a good quality air conditioner is also very important and you need to keep in mind the size and capacity of the AC so that it will meet your requirements. Any signs of fire or malfunctioning unit should be identified at the earliest so that it can be resolved before turning into a major issue.