Photo: Rob Swystun, Flickr Creative Commons

A fire in your home doesn’t just put the lives of you and your family at risk, it also leads to devastating property and financial loss, as well as the loss of irreplaceable family photos and keepsakes. While cooking is the leading cause of house fires, air conditioners can also spark a fire in your home. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, between 2005 and 2009 there were an average of 2,300 residential fires annually due to air conditioning equipment, resulting in roughly 99 injuries, 2 deaths, and $53 million in damages per year.

What Causes Air Conditioners to Catch Fire?

The leading ignition factors in air conditioner fires are mechanical and electrical failures, often caused by faulty equipment that has not been well maintained. A short circuit in the wiring will cause the air conditioner to overheat and consequently ignite. Frequent power surges can also overheat the unit, as well as stress placed on the system from dirty filters and coils or low refrigerant.

It is important to note that central air units are less likely to cause residential fires than portable or window units. These smaller units often cannot keep up with cooling demands, causing them to run longer, making them more likely to overheat or suffer a mechanical failure. They also tend to have inadequate wiring to carry the electrical demands placed on them, leading to electrical failure and fire.

The best way to prevent air conditioner fires is by having your air conditioning unit routinely inspected by a certified Wilmington AC technician. That is why Gold Star offers affordable maintenance agreements, to keep your unit operating safely and at peak efficiency. By making sure your unit’s filters and coils are clean and your refrigerant levels are sufficient, our Wilmington AC technicians will help reduce the strain on your system that often leads to failure.

Choose Gold Star to Keep Your Wilmington A/C Unit in Shape

Gold Star is your Wilmington air conditioning expert. Our experienced, professional technicians have the knowledge and expertise to maintain and extend the life of older systems, or install cutting edge, energy efficient modern systems. If you are looking to have a quality central air unit installed in your home, Gold Star offers an incredible deal on a complete A/C and heating unit installation. With financing available, a 10-year parts and labor warranty, and a maintenance plan included, you can’t afford to pass up this offer!