As we enter summer and temperatures start to heat up, your air conditioner should follow an expected cycle: cooling cycle followed by rest cycle. If it continues running without shutting off properly or never reaching your set thermostat temperature setting, that could indicate something is amiss and require professional intervention; running constantly without reaching its set thermostat setting could increase electricity bills considerably and potentially cause irreparable damage to the system.
An air conditioner may run constantly due to several reasons: high outdoor temperatures, incorrect thermostat settings, dirty or clogged filters, low refrigerant levels, or the unit might be too small for the size of your home, causing it to work harder.
Why is My AC Running Constantly and How Can I Fix It?
There are a few reasons your AC may be running constantly and how you can remedy the situation. A dirty air filter, which limits airflow through your system and ductwork, is typically responsible for this behavior; other reasons might include having set a thermostat lower than room temperature, condenser coil clog up, or an electrical relay switch malfunction. We will go through each of these potential causes for an AC that runs constantly as well as how you can remedy the situation.
Could a Dirty Air Filter Be the Problem?
An air filter that’s dirty restricts the flow of cooled air through your system and into your home, forcing it to work harder than necessary. Clean or replace it as soon as possible to restore proper function for your air conditioning unit.
Is My AC Unit Too Small for My House?
Your air conditioning unit should match the size of your house. Otherwise, it will have to work harder in order to effectively cool all areas of your home, potentially overheating frequently and leading to further complications with its performance and possibly damaging itself and leading to other problems in the long run.
Can Clogged Evaporator Coils Be the Culprit?
Your indoor unit’s evaporator coils may become clogged with dirt from landscaping debris and changing weather conditions, like falling leaves. This prevents refrigerant from absorbing heat and releasing it back into your home to keep air cool, leading to reduced cooling power and keeping air comfortable for you and your family. In order to ensure its continued performance and to detect leaks caused by wear-and-tear or age. Getting your AC checked regularly for leaks can also prevent serious health problems down the line.
How Does Insulation Affect My AC’s Performance?
Your AC must work harder when its insulation is inadequate, forcing it to work overtime just to reach the thermostat temperature. Sealing windows and doors with caulk, checking insulation levels in your attic, and having leaky ductwork checked out for leaks can all help to regulate airflow more efficiently and lower energy bills. Repairing these issues may help your air conditioner operate more efficiently while cutting energy costs.