Ever notice that you have an AC running constantly?
If you find yourself in the scalding heat of the summer season, it’s usual that your AC will run longer. Feeling sticky and hot during this time of the year could be bothersome. So if humidity is at its peak, there’s no need for you to fret.
But if it’s not remarkably hot and you start to feel uncomfortable with your AC running constantly, then chances are there is an issue that needs fixing. While there could be several possible reasons behind the malfunction of your AC, it might not always be a worst-case scenario. Some of these reasons may signal that something is wrong with your system.
There could be a few troubleshooting tips that you can do to help you determine what could be the issue. They may help you correct the problems before you place a call to your trusted AC technician.
Resource: How to Troubleshoot Common AC Issues
Reason #1: Clogged Air Filters
Have you ever inspected if your air filters are dirty? If not, it’s time that you do so, as they might be the culprit behind your AC running constantly.
Dirty air filters are the most common reason for an AC breakdown. If it has been some time since you had your air filters cleaned or replaced, dirt and grime probably started building up. This build-up will cause a restriction to the airflow. If left ignored, it would reduce the amount of cool air that your air conditioning unit produces. As a result, your air conditioner will be running longer throughout the day. Because the air filter has debris that blocks it, your air handler will strain itself to compensate for this. It will then make the whole system work harder, leading to overheating. Without enough airflow going to the coils, the air conditioning unit wouldn’t be able to rid the humidity in the system. Hence, cool air won’t suffice, resulting in your AC running constantly.
Your best bet is to clean the debris that covers your air filters. It will help aid the flow of air. Air filter replacement is also necessary to do regularly. An HVAC professional could help you rest your case if you need further assistance on this matter.
Reason #2: Dirty Air Conditioner Coils
If you have an AC running constantly, you might want to inspect your condenser and evaporator coils.
Dust, dirt, grime and even pet hair could accumulate on your air conditioner’s coils. Primarily, it is because of the constant exposure of the evaporator coil to air circulation within your AC system. Because of this reason, it is highly susceptible to dirt build-up.
When particles start to form even a thin layer on the surface of the coils, it will cause a blockage that could significantly reduce the airflow within the system. When this happens, you can expect the performance of your AC to diminish reluctantly. The reason behind this is a reduction in the efficacy of the heat transfers from the refrigerant. It could result in degraded cooling performance, leading to higher power consumption. Your AC running constantly due to this reason could be due to it working hard to meet the standard thermostat settings.
Meanwhile, condenser coils are subject to exposure to outdoor elements. For this reason, they must also be regularly inspected and cleaned. You can do this yourself by simply hosing down the unit. Just make sure the electrical power is off before you do so.
Homeowners need to contact an HVAC professional to conduct regular system maintenance for their AC. It will ensure that your AC unit has clean coils and help you retain the overall health of your system.
Air Conditioner Not Turning On?
Reason #3: Malfunctioning Thermostat
If you have an AC running constantly, you might be dealing with a thermostat problem.
A problematic thermostat is not entirely uncommon. Although thermostats are usually reliable, like any other components of the AC, they too can run into several issues. The typical scenario is that your household may have reached the desired temperature, but it is not registering this. As a result, your AC will keep running to meet the settings.
One way to check if your thermostat is malfunctioning is to place a thermometer near its location. After some time, you need to check the reading. If the reading results in your desired temperature settings, you might be dealing with a thermostat issue.
We rounded up two tips to do the trick.
Tip #1: Set your thermostat 5 degrees lower or higher than usual. The setting will depend on what season it is currently. Examine if the device turns on.
Tip #2: Quickly check if it is appropriate on the “Cool” or “Heat” settings. Ensure that the circuit breaker is not powered off.
If these tips don’t work their magic to address the issue, you can try a hard restart. You can also opt to power down your whole air conditioning system by turning off the circuit breaker. If you want to have a better solution, your AC technician is the best person to provide you with one.
To round it all up:
There could be multiple reasons behind your AC running constantly. What’s important is that you deal with them before they become the worst problems.
The above list contains just a few possible reasons behind your malfunctioning AC. They could contribute to your AC’s continuous runs and generate higher power bills. Aside from an increase in power consumption, you will also have a unit with less efficient cooling ability. In the long run, it would result in costing you more money.
Your safest bet is always to consult with a trusted HVAC professional and let them know the issues at hand. It can be that the case behind it would be an easy fix and something relatively usual. Most issues won’t need major repairs and are something that you can prevent. Ensuring that your AC has its regular maintenance check-ups is one way of securing its perfect shape. It can also prevent all possible problems that might affect your whole AC system.
