Usually, a well-maintained air conditioner has a run cycle of approximately 15 to 20 minutes. It means the AC turns off and turns back on around two to three every hour. However, on extremely hot days, the run time might be a little longer compared to normal days. But if your air conditioner is constantly running, then chances are there’s something wrong with it. Now, there could be many reasons why your air conditioner is running non-stop. For instance, the issue might occur because of a clogged air filter or low refrigerant level. A faulty thermostat or a leaky duct may also be the possible cause of your AC running non-stop. Continue reading to learn more about the possible causes of a constantly running air conditioner.
1. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons for a continuously running air conditioner. The issue occurs because the dirty air filter leads to reduced cooling. This, in turn, leads to the air conditioner running continuously (or for longer periods) as it is unable to maintain the required level of temperature.
Turn off your air conditioner and clean/replace your air filter to see if that works. Also, make sure the air filter isn’t too restrictive and is in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. If that didn’t resolve the problem, then check for other possible causes before you schedule an AC service in Ellenton, Venice, or nearby areas.
2. Undersized Air Conditioner
Did you replace your air conditioner recently? And have you been facing this issue ever since you replaced your AC? If yes, then there’s a high probability that your new air conditioner is undersized, so it has to work harder and longer to cool your home. This can lead to increased wear and tear and reduced life expectancy. Call an AC service expert in Ellenton, Venice, or nearby areas, and have your air conditioner inspected as soon as possible.
3. Bad or Faulty Thermostat
As you would know, a thermostat’s job is to control the cooling in any space. It sends a power on/off signal to the air conditioner depending on the temperature set by the user. So let’s say if you set your thermostat to 78° Fahrenheit, your air conditioner will continue to run until it reaches the set temperature. Once the required temperature is reached, the thermostat sends a power-off signal to the air conditioner. The thermostat then sends a power-on signal to the air conditioner once the room temperature rises above the desired temperature.
But a bad thermostat is unable to detect the change in temperature, so it doesn’t send any signal to the air conditioner. As a result, the AC continues to run constantly. If you are facing a similar issue, try replacing the batteries or resetting the settings to try to fix the issue. If that doesn’t work, then you need to get your thermostat checked by an AC service expert in Ellenton, Venice, or nearby areas.
4. Low Refrigerant
The AC’s refrigerant plays one of the most important roles in cooling any space. Lack of refrigerant level leads to reduced cooling forcing the AC to work harder and to run non-stop. Some of the signs of low refrigerant levels include – reduced cooling, ice buildup on refrigerant lines, puddles of water near the indoor unit, and high energy bills. It’s best to let a professional fix a low refrigerant issue as they have the required tools and expertise. Also, make sure you don’t run your AC on low refrigerant, or else it can lead to increased wear and tear.
5. Insulation or Leakage Issues
If your home has leakage or insulation issues, it will impact your home’s cooling. And just like the above-mentioned problems, an insulation or leakage problem would lead to your AC running continuously. Check if there are any gaps that are leading to the loss of cool air. Even better, call an AC service expert in Ellenton, Venice, or surrounding areas and have the entire home inspected for insulation and air leakage issues.
6. Lack of Maintenance
Lack of maintenance leads to dirt and dust buildup on AC components which in turn reduces the system’s efficiency. For instance, lack of maintenance leads to dirty evaporator coils that impede heat transfer between the refrigerant in the evaporator coils and the surrounding air. This, in turn, leads to reduced cooling and forces the air conditioner to work non-stop. Similarly, the dust and dirt buildup on the outdoor unit’s condenser coil also leads to cooling issues. To avoid such issues, you must get your AC serviced in Ellenton, Venice, or nearby areas.
If your air conditioner is continuously running, make sure you get the problem fixed as soon as possible. Do not procrastinate, as it can lead to the further worsening of the problem. And if you have been procrastinating because you aren’t sure of where to find a trusted AC service provider in Venice or nearby areas, we at Gator Air Conditioning, Inc are here to help. You can contact us for all your air conditioning and heating needs. To schedule an appointment, call us at (941) 749-6000.
