White smoke detector in a home

Can Aircon Catch Fire: Your Questions Answered!

Straight to the burning question: no, it’s not a myth. Aircons can catch fire, and then some.

Just like other electrical equipment, the heating and cooling devices can start burning for quite a few reasons.

The hotter your region, the higher the risk. Meaning that you shouldn’t shrug off this possibility if you’re in the Western and Southern heat belt of Australia!

While an aircon fire can be fatal, you can take a few steps to prevent such a scenario. The first step is to understand the potential causes. Only then can you plan to prevent them.

Common Reasons Why ACs Catch Fire

Let’s start with an interesting (if a bit terrifying) fact.

The RAA Insurance records from the last decade revealed that most summer house fires were caused by air conditioners. According to the RAA Senior Claims Manager Hayley Cain, “Almost nine in ten (87%) of those summer house fires were caused by malfunctioning air conditioners…The equipment can overheat if used continuously for long periods during heatwaves and cause a fire,” she told Daily RAA back in 2021.

It’s not just homes either. A smoking air conditioner went so far as to cause flight grounding and evacuation at Sydney Airport a few years ago.

If you have a split aircon, bear in mind that either or both the outdoor and indoor units can catch fire. Generally, the reason behind this is malfunctioning of one kind or another.

Here are some triggers that can lead to an AC unit on fire.

Poor (or Total Lack of) Maintenance

Manufacturing defects do happen, and they can indeed cause a device to malfunction. But defects are not the most common culprits behind malfunctioning. Most common culprits mostly spring from neglect, and they can all be fixed or at least alleviated by one thing alone.

That’s right: good and regular maintenance is the #1 way to prevent an aircon from overheating and causing fire.

How so? The accumulated dust and grit in the coils and vents can obstruct the airflow and choke the device. Sluggish performance causes the device’s cooling or heating efficiency to hit rock bottom. So it starts working twice as hard to regulate your temperature, leading to point #3 (scroll down to Overheating).

In other words, a poorly maintained aircon enters a vicious cycle of overworking which can, quite literally, lead to a burnout.

But even when there are no obstructions, maintenance can help track down any faulty components in the device. Failure to fix those can lead to, you guessed it, overheating and a fire.

Faulty Wiring Installation

Loose or incorrect wiring can generate sparks which can ignite flammable objects lying nearby. In the case of an electric short, these wires can smoulder for hours without getting noticed.

For a split AC system, the indoor and outdoor units are connected by wiring. And that poses a risk in itself if not properly insulated. No wire or part of a wire should be exposed or frayed. This is why letting the wires run under wallpapers, rugs, or carpets is a bad idea. These hidden wires can get snagged or frayed without you even noticing, and can therefore be a fire hazard.

Although not very common, it can also happen because of a faulty switchboard that fails to distribute power safely.

Overheating

As we already explained above, one of the most common causes of overheating are buildups of dirt and debris on the exterior unit, covering the condenser coils and the compressor. This layer of crud acts as an insulator of sorts, preventing the release of heat.

Likewise, dust buildup can happen on the evaporator coils that are living indoors. Dust can also clog the air filters, forcing the system to work harder and heat up.

The lifeblood of an AC unit is the refrigerant that absorbs and releases the heat. If the volume of refrigerant drops due to even a small leakage, the cooling and heating ability of the unit decreases. And that can also cause overheating!

Flammable Objects

An air conditioner above a curtain

Make sure to place the air conditioner unit away from all flammable objects. In case the unit overheats, flammable objects coming in contact with it can catch fire. The vice versa can happen too.

In other words, make sure there aren’t any drapes, blankets, curtains, cardboard or paper, upholstery or alcohol-based cleaning products nearby.

Bottom line, it’s best to keep other electrical appliances away from your aircon. On the outside, avoid depositing dry leaves, debris, or paper near the unit.

Question From a Customer: Can Air Conditioners Go on Fire During a Bushfire?

Bushfires are, sadly, our new normal. So what happens to your aircon if there’s a bushfire in your vicinity?

Quick answer: refrigerated and reverse-cycle air conditioners that do not draw outside air will not catch fire during a bushfire–not unless they overheat. We’re talking about split systems, large cassette units, and portable aircon.

However, you shouldn’t use evaporative air conditioners with wet filter pads in such situations.

Why so?

The filter pads used in evaporative air conditioners are made from combustible cellulose material. Embers from a bushfire can travel as far as a whopping 40 kilometres and burn through the filters, generating a fire. Since such devices are mostly installed on the roof, the fire can go unnoticed.

Besides, this type of aircon draws in outside air which gets cooled by the evaporating water. This cooled air is supplied indoors through ducts. If the outside air is smoky, such a unit will bring down the indoor air quality.

Bottom Line: How to Prevent an Aircon Fire?

Ideally, an air conditioner in good condition won’t need to struggle and overheat to keep the indoors at the desired temperature. But with so many aircon fire incidents happening in summer, this is the period when you need to stay more careful.

If you run an AC on full blast all day, it will wear out faster. Plus, your electricity bills will be higher. In truth, the magic number of 22 degrees may not be the optimum option.

In summer, you may turn off the AC during certain hours or leave it running in Auto setting – it all depends on the climate and the unit’s efficiency. In some scenarios, shutting off the AC every once in a while sounds like a good idea to reduce the stress on it. But remember, it can take a lot of energy to cool the interiors back again. So leaving it off for too long isn’t the best idea either.

Modern AC units have speed inverter compressors, which makes them more energy efficient. You can set the thermostat a few degrees higher and leave it running all day. Or else, you can use the trusty old ceiling fan to circulate the air and reduce the load on the AC.

To prevent the unit from overheating and reduce the risks of fire, take the following steps.

  • Make sure that air conditioners and evaporative coolers are installed by qualified electricians, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Place the outdoor unit in a well-ventilated and clean space without any restrictions on airflow around it.
  • Regular maintenance of the equipment should be done as per the manufacturer’s specifications. Make sure to clean the air filters and check the device before the start of summer.
  • While running the AC during heatwaves, keep an eye out for signs of overheating. Use a spare fan to give the overheated equipment some rest.
  • While not at home, do not leave the device running.

FAQs: Can the Aircon Catch Fire

What causes AC to catch fire?

The main cause behind an AC catching fire is overheating. This can happen due to a lack of maintenance or issues with the electrical circuit.

How to avoid fire in AC?

To avoid a fire, the AC should be installed by a professional and maintenance should be done strictly following the manufacturer’s specifications. In other words, no improvising!

How do I know if my AC is burning?

When an AC unit is on fire, it will give out a foul burning smell that can (but doesn’t have to!) be accompanied by cracking or popping noises. Turn the device off immediately and use a fire blanket or sand to put out the fire.

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