Why Is My Air Conditioner Constantly Running?
Why Is My Air Conditioner Constantly Running?
05/19/2021
We depend on our air conditioning system to work day and night without a problem. But when our home begins to feel warmer than usual, the first thing we check is the thermostat and listen for the blower to confirm the AC is working.
Soon, you realize that yes, the thermostat seems fine, and the air conditioner is working, but the temperature is climbing inside. So, what could be the problem? We’re going to expand on several possibilities as to why your air conditioner continues to run, but it doesn’t seem to help keep the house cool on hot summer days, and it’s causing a large spike in your electricity bill.
Your AC Unit May Not be the Correct Size
An improperly sized unit can fail to keep your home cool and at the same time run your electricity bill way up. It’s best to note here that modern, adequately sized, energy-efficient systems run better when they’re running at full power most of the time. It’s by design and doesn’t indicate a problem.
The A/C Unit is Too Small
If your air conditioner runs constantly and your home still isn’t cooling properly, the unit could be too small for the area it’s trying to cool. Overworking an undersized unit will dramatically reduce its working life and will substantially raise your utility bills.
The A/C Unit is Too Large
With an oversized unit, it won’t succeed at removing moisture from the air in your home as designed, and the result is cold, moist, clammy air. Although an oversized unit will run less each time, you will notice excessive on-off cycles, again, running up your electricity bill and more repairs, too.
Insufficient Ductwork
Correctly sized ductwork corresponds to the size of the air conditioner unit. The wrong size prevents cool air from reaching and distributing to all areas of your home, exacerbating the excessive runtime of your air conditioner.
Many problems with air conditioners end up as an installation problem and not the fault of the unit. That’s why it’s vitally important to have experienced professionals perform this type of work for you.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
A dirty or clogged air filter is a direct cause of restricted airflow in your home. If the cool air can’t get into your home at the correct level, your air conditioner will struggle to keep up, which translates to constantly running and risking an overheat condition. The simple fix for this is either to clean or, better yet, replace the filter. One of the biggest reasons for air conditioner problems is a dirty air filter. Simple, but true.
Condenser Coils Covered with Dirt or Debris
If you take a walk outside and look at the condenser coils on the outside unit, look for leaves, grass clippings, or anything blocking the little fins wrapped around the unit. These fins make up the condenser, and airflow from the large fan inside the unit helps cool the Freon in the sealed system enough to flow under pressure to the evaporator inside the house.
Any restriction of the airflow here will severely affect the ability to cool your home, which leads to a constantly running air conditioning system.
Dirty or Clogged Evaporator
The evaporator sits near the blower inside your home. It receives Freon from the compressor located in the outside unit. It’s harder to reach, and we don’t recommend attempting to do any work on the evaporator or the blower. Please, leave that work to a professional technician licensed and trained for this.
We hope you enjoyed reading this information about why your air conditioner runs constantly. Please call an expert at Command Service Center if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help!