It’s hot outside which means your air conditioner is going to run a lot. But, if your AC is running constantly without turning off and on again, you have a problem that will eventually cause your air conditioner to stop working completely. Pay attention to how long the cycles are running to make sure your AC isn’t in trouble.
Troubleshooting Tips for Constantly Running ACs
There are several reasons your AC could be running nonstop. The team at Jeremy Electrical, Heating & Cooling has listed them below to help you diagnose the problem. Check these troubleshooting tips before you call for professional help:
Bad Thermostat. Occasionally, the problem is your thermostat. Check your thermostat to see if the actual temperature in the space is below the setpoint. If it is, you probably need a new thermostat.
Clogged Air Filter. When your system’s air filter is full of dirt and debris, the flow of air is restricted. Without enough air flowing over the coils, the system can’t remove humidity and cool the air to the set temperature, so it keeps running.
Dirty Evaporator Coil. An evaporator coil covered with dirt and debris will make your AC work harder to cool your space.
Frozen Evaporator Coil. If your AC is blowing warm air as well as constantly running, it may have frozen up. Turn the air conditioner completely off so it can thaw and then call a professional to diagnose the problem and prevent further damage.
Poor Ductwork. You may be losing cool air through leaks in your ductwork. Joints may not be sealed, or ducts may not be insulated. If enough cool air escapes, the AC can’t reach the desired temperature and it keeps running.
Related Read: How to Use Your Ductwork to Throw Away Money
Low Refrigerant. If you don’t have enough refrigerant in the system, your AC can’t cool your home. This causes your AC unit to keep running, trying to meet the temperature on the thermostat. If you think this could be your issue, call a professional to check your coolant level and repair the leak.
Dirty Condenser. Your condenser sits outside and is constantly collecting dirt and debris. Check your outside unit to make sure the flow of air isn’t blocked by dirt, leaves, animal or insect nests, etc..
Related Read: Prepping Your Outdoor AC Unit for Efficiency in 5 Easy Steps
Blower Motor/Fan. If your blower motor is not producing enough air for your system, or the fan is running at a low speed, your system may not be able to cool to the setpoint on the thermostat. It will continue to run to try to reach that temperature. Adjust the fan speed and make sure to clean the fan blades too. If that doesn’t help, you may have to have someone come check your blower motor.
Your AC Is too Small. An undersized system struggles to cool your home, which is why it’s running constantly. This constant running will reduce pressure in the evaporator (cooling) coil until it freezes over. This is dangerous for your AC unit because the freezing can cause liquid refrigerant to flood back to the compressor and damage it. If you’ve recently remodeled or rearranged your space, it’s possible that your AC is too small to cool the bigger space. A heating and cooling professional can perform a load calculation and let you know for sure.
