Common Causes of a Constantly Running AC

September 26, 2022

When summer arrives, your air conditioner becomes your best friend. The air conditioner not only cools your home but also reduces the humidity throughout the summer. Nevertheless, ACs can malfunction from time to time.

Certain symptoms, like your air conditioning running constantly, may indicate that your system isn't functioning properly. Constantly running air conditioners are bad for your comfort and wallet, so you should fix them as soon as possible.

Below are possible reasons why your air conditioner runs constantly.

Dirty Air Filter

The cause of many AC problems, including a constantly running system, may be dirty and clogged filters.

Clogged air filters prevent adequate airflow, resulting in difficulty in reaching ideal indoor temperatures. As a result, your air conditioner will run continuously. 

By replacing your air filter every 30 to 90 days, you can ensure that your filter is clean.

Dirty Coils

The coils aim to pump heat from within the house to the outside. The condenser coils may become dirty as mulch, dirt, and leaves enter the outside AC cabinet. 

Any grime accumulating on the coils insulates them and keeps heat from escaping. Too much heat inside the system causes the system to continue running to achieve the desired indoor temperature.

To get the best performance from your air conditioner, you must get the coils cleaned properly. Therefore, you should schedule regular cleaning by a professional. A professional cleaning will also make sure you don't damage the coils during cleaning. 

Faulty Thermostat

You may have an issue with your thermostat if your system never shuts off. When your thermostat is faulty, your AC may not know when it is at the ideal temperature to turn off. As a result, your AC unit will keep running.

You or someone else in the house may have also programmed the thermostat too low. As a result, the air conditioner will run until it reaches the newly set temperature.

If the indoor temperature is lower than the thermostat setting you chose, the thermostat may be the problem and you need to replace your thermostat.

Refrigerant leak

Refrigerant refers to the fluid that circulates throughout your AC. The purpose of the fluid is to absorb heat from warm, indoor air. Through the condenser, the refrigerant releases heat into the outdoor air.

Air conditioners that are low on refrigerant will struggle to cool your home, resulting in longer operating times. In most cases, low refrigerant occurs due to leaks. A refrigerant leak usually occurs close to the compressor or evaporator coil or in the conduit lines between outdoor and indoor units.

As well as the potential for harm to humans, refrigerant leak repairs can be difficult. You should contact an experienced HVAC technician to locate and resolve the leak.

Undersized AC unit

Air conditioners come in many sizes, and the fit is extremely important. Air conditioning units can sometimes be too small for your particular home.

If your air conditioner is too small it will not have enough power to reach the cooling temperature you set. As a result, your air conditioning unit will never stop running and will continue doing so until you replace the entire unit.

To determine if you have an undersized AC, hire a qualified professional to conduct a load calculation. You can only solve the problem of AC size by installing a properly sized air conditioner for your home.

All of the above factors can contribute to your air conditioner running more often than it should. The best course of action is to contact a professional and let them know you have an air conditioning unit running constantly.

If you have questions about your air conditioner or want to install or service your AC, feel free to contact us.