Your air conditioner ought to run two to a few occasions per hour for 15–20 minutes when it’s working correctly. Nevertheless, a number of points could make it run continuously — starting from a clogged filter, refrigerant leak, defective wiring, and even a malfunctioning thermostat.
In case your air conditioner by no means shuts off, try every of those 10 frequent issues. You possibly can diagnose and repair many of those issues by yourself. Nevertheless, you must contemplate hiring a neighborhood HVAC contractor for a handful of the problems or in the event you’re not comfy tinkering round inside your AC unit.
1. Your air filter is clogged.
With regards to your air conditioner’s effectivity, circulation is essential. With out it, all of the mud and particles in a unclean air filter preserve your air conditioner from receiving the airflow it wants to chill successfully after which flip off.
Change your filter in accordance with the producer’s instructions, normally as soon as each 30 to 90 days, for optimum airflow.
Bonus: A clear air filter will preserve mud and allergens from infiltrating your home. A clogged filter prevents correct air circulation by way of the HVAC system. The evaporator coil can solely take in sufficient warmth from the air with satisfactory airflow. Consequently, the air conditioner can not attain the set temperature and disengage.
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To maintain your system operating effectively, examine and substitute soiled filters as soon as a month throughout peak cooling season. Use the MERV ranking system to pick optimum filtration that balances mud removing with airflow.
2. You’re operating low on refrigerant.
Your air conditioner requires refrigerant to chill the evaporator coils. As your unit ages, leaks are prone to develop, inflicting refrigerant ranges to drop. In some instances, these leaks are gradual sufficient that recharging your refrigerant stage is all it takes to enhance your air conditioner’s cooling capability.
The refrigerant circulates by way of the condenser and evaporator coils to soak up and launch warmth. With low refrigerant, the cycle can not effectively decrease the temperature. The evaporator coil will likely be barely heat moderately than chilly, stopping your thermostat from reaching the set temperature and shutting off the air conditioner.
Whereas refrigerant leaks are frequent as AC techniques age, they’ll additionally point out severe issues like a defective evaporator, condenser, or compressor. Have an HVAC technician consider refrigerant ranges and determine any underlying points, comparable to leaking evaporator coils.
3. Your private home lacks insulation.
Your private home continuously positive aspects warmth from exterior sources such because the solar, close by equipment, and automotive engines. Correct insulation creates resistance to warmth move and helps your own home keep temperate. With insufficient insulation, it takes extra work in your air conditioner to beat warmth infiltration and obtain the specified indoor temperature.
In case your air conditioner is continually operating, examine insulation ranges round your own home, particularly within the attic. Then, replace outdated or lacking insulation for optimum power effectivity. Guarantee insulation achieves the beneficial R-value in your local weather zone. You possibly can even tint home windows or set up heat-reflective movie to dam photo voltaic warmth achieve.
4. You will have air leaks in your ductwork.
Leaky ducts pressure your air conditioner to work extra time to chill your own home. Sealing ducts is an economical option to enhance AC effectivity. Examine accessible ducts for detachments, gaps, kinks, or punctures. Additionally, test connections at vents and registers and use mastic sealant or steel tape to patch leaks.
Contemplate hiring an HVAC technician to carry out a duct stress take a look at for inaccessible ducts. They are going to seal all vents besides one, then use specialised tools to test for leaks as air flows into the ducts. This course of permits them to isolate and restore hidden leaks you can not entry alone.
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5. Soiled Coils, Condenser or Ducts
Nobody expects their automotive to run with out an oil change, however we generally really feel like our air conditioners ought to run with no common tune-up.
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Common HVAC upkeep is one of the simplest ways to make sure your unit runs as effectively as attainable. Soiled coils, a unclean condenser, or clogged ducts can contribute to an air conditioner that continuously runs with out fully cooling your own home.
Fortuitously, the answer is so simple as having a specialist carry out an HVAC tune-up earlier than summer season. They will clear the areas of your air conditioner most inclined to filth and advocate any essential repairs that can assist you keep away from mid-summer meltdowns. Addressing any of those points can prolong the lifetime of your air conditioner and preserve you cool all summer season.
6. Your AC Unit is Improperly Sized for Your House
In case your air conditioner is just too small in your house, it should battle to maintain it cool or carry the temperature down in any respect. On this case, it should proceed to run whereas it tries to satisfy the set level in your thermostat. To be sure to get a accurately sized air-con unit, rent an skilled HVAC contractor to carry out a load calculation.
7. Your Thermostat is Malfunctioning
A malfunctioning thermostat may cause your AC unit to run longer than essential or by no means flip off. Thermostat points like this are unusual. Nevertheless, a failed electrical contact can get caught within the on place, or its inner temperature sensor could incorrectly learn the next temperature.
On this case, your own home will grow to be a lot colder than the specified temperature you select in your thermostat (assuming all the pieces else is working correctly). You possibly can repair this difficulty your self by changing your thermostat — improve to a Sensible unit for higher effectivity and the flexibility to manage out of your smartphone.
8. Your AC is Getting old and Inefficient
Air conditioners have a life span of 15-20 years. In case your AC unit is that this outdated or older, chances are high that it’s beginning to break down. On the very least, it’s turning into much less environment friendly at cooling your own home. If in case you have an getting older system that’s operating continuously, I like to recommend hiring an HVAC firm to judge and substitute it earlier than it fails on a sizzling summer season day.
9. Your Evaporator Coils Are Soiled
When you haven’t been diligent with changing your HVAC filters, your evaporator coils can grow to be clogged with mud and dirt. When evaporator coils take away warmth from the air in your house, water condenses on them and usually drips right into a condensate drip pan and flows open air. Nevertheless, if the coils are soiled, the moisture can stick with the mud and filth and create a tough crust.
When your evaporator coils are caked with mud and filth, it makes it arduous to take away warmth from your own home and your AC unit will run continuously to attempt to compensate. You possibly can clear your soiled evaporator coils your self. Take away the entry panel in your indoor unit (air handler) and take away the buildup you can along with your fingers and a delicate tip vacuum attachment. Then, you should utilize coil cleaner and a few water to complete the job.
Coils are delicate, so watch out to not bend or break any fins. When you’re uncomfortable doing this process, simply rent an HVAC technician for assist as an alternative.
10. Your Ducts are Blocked
Blocked or obstructed ducts can prohibit airflow, stopping your air conditioner from successfully transferring cool air all through your own home. Because of this, your AC could run repeatedly to compensate for the lowered airflow. Examine your air vents and registers to make sure they’re open and unobstructed by furnishings, curtains, particles, child’s toys, and so on. When you suspect blockages inside the ductwork itself, contemplate hiring an HVAC skilled to carry out an intensive inspection and cleansing.
So, Is an Air Conditioner Operating Continually At all times a Downside?
An air conditioner that by no means shuts off is normally an indication of an underlying difficulty that wants consideration. Figuring out and rapidly addressing issues will restore cooling effectivity and stop system failure.
Nevertheless, it’s regular in your air conditioner to run many of the day throughout stretches of intense warmth. I like to recommend setting your thermostat at a average temperature as an alternative of a maximally chilly setting to keep away from overworking the unit. Guarantee your own home’s insulation, home windows, and ducts are optimized to scale back pointless warmth achieve. Additionally, substitute filters often and have an HVAC technician carry out seasonal upkeep to maintain your air conditioner working at peak efficiency when wanted.
FAQs About Air Conditioners Operating Continually
Why does my air conditioner freeze up?
A frozen evaporator coil signifies low refrigerant ranges or lowered airflow. Lack of refrigerant or airflow prevents the coil from absorbing sufficient warmth, resulting in ice formation. Have an HVAC technician test the refrigerant cost and system airflow.
How can I inform if my AC points are severe?
Warning indicators of significant AC issues embody unusual smells, smoke, soiled air discharge, frequent fuse-blowing, or loud noises from the unit. When you discover these points, shut off your air conditioner instantly and call an HVAC skilled.
Ought to I restore or substitute my air conditioner?
Contemplate substitute in case your AC unit is over ten years outdated and experiences frequent breakdowns. Newer AC models are considerably extra power environment friendly, saving you cash on power payments every month. Reference our information on the price of a brand new unit.
What upkeep can I do myself?
DIY upkeep contains month-to-month inspecting and altering air filters, cleansing particles from outside AC models, and trimming vegetation and branches blocking outside models. HVAC technicians ought to deal with any duties involving refrigerant, electrical work, or ducts.
How usually ought to my AC be serviced?
HVAC specialists advocate skilled tune-ups earlier than peak cooling season, typically within the spring. Technicians examine refrigerant ranges, electrical parts, condenser and evaporator coils, drain strains, and general efficiency. I like to recommend a fall tune-up to prep the system for winter.
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