According to the National Fire Protection Association, there were a reported 7400 fires in 2010 across the United States attributed to faulty air conditioning systems or related equipment. Was your unit one of them?
Those incidents were associated with 29 deaths, hundreds of injuries, and over 200 million dollars’ worth of property damage. Nearly half of the AC fires occurred during the months of June, July, and August. The question is: were these fires preventable? It’s hard to say, but we think air conditioning maintenance for your home can cut down the risk of fire and other safety hazards.
Common Causes of AC Fires
When your air conditioner is not regularly maintained, it runs the risk of becoming faulty and catching fire. This could be a result of worn-out filters that accumulate with dirt and dust particles resulting in the malfunctioning of your system, storing flammable materials near the system, faulty parts, and equipment, among more.
All these will damage your system and the result will be poor indoor quality. Let’s take a deeper look into these common causes of air conditioning fires.
1. Storing flammable materials near the system
Allowing combustible materials such as paper, an accumulation of leaves and other debris, or gasoline too close to your air conditioning system puts it at risk of catching fire. Keep the space around your unit free and clear with any materials or debris at least 3 feet away.
2. Failing to keep the not cleaned properly
Failing to clean your air conditioner properly results in the accumulation of dirt and dust particles in its air vents, filters, coils, and fins. This obstructs normal airflow and could result in your unit malfunctioning and in the end cause a fire.
3. Faulty parts and equipment
When you neglect your air conditioning system, you fail to notice when there are faulty parts and equipment in it. For example, if the air conditioning fan has been slowly degrading and it finally stops functioning, large heat may accumulate within the AC causing temperatures to rise excessively.
This is likely to ignite combustibles near the heating pipes. Always, it is advisable that you have your system regularly serviced by professionals so that any faulty parts can be replaced professionally, and with original ones that will give you more years of service.
Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance to Prevent Fires
Air conditioning maintenance and servicing by professionals is what will save your system from fires. Have a professional air conditioner installer inspect your AC every once or twice a year.
An expert knows how to clean the system thoroughly, check for parts that need repairs, discover potential problems that could be catastrophic in the future, and repair any damages on your system with original parts. When searching for an air conditioning professional, be careful not to fall into the trap of sales gimmicks. Select a professional who is reputable, within your budget, and is available for emergencies.
The benefits of having regular AC maintenance outweigh the little costs you will incur to contract a professional. From improved indoor air quality that saves your family from contracting various health issues to improving your unit’s efficiency and saving you a great deal off of utility bills, regular AC maintenance is vital. Regular maintenance also saves you hefty costly repairs and prolongs the life of your unit.
Avoid costly AC repairs with regular maintenance. Call your Las Vegas and Henderson air conditioning experts today at (702) 567-0707 and ask about our maintenance plans.
