A cool home is a welcome relief, especially during the hot summer months. For many, it’s even worth the increase in your utility bills. However, an AC unit that’s constantly running, even after your home has reached it’s desired temperature, is an unnecessary expense, not only in utility bills, but also in increased wear-and-tear on your system.
So why is your air conditioner constantly running? The experts at Supreme Service Today have seen this problem numerous times. Here are a few possible reasons:
- Your Thermostat Is Set Too Low
Air conditioners can be powerful, but they can only cool your home so much. If there’s a large difference between the temperature outside and the temperature you want your home to be, your air conditioner will run constantly in a futile attempt to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. A 20 degree difference is all you can really expect your AC to achieve.
To relieve your AC unit, you need to increase your thermostat setting to something more reasonable. If it’s 100 degrees, setting your thermostat to 72 degrees is too drastic of a difference for your unit to achieve.
- An Undersized Air Conditioner
If your air conditioner was not sized properly, or your home recently underwent an expansion, your AC unit might not be powerful enough to cool your home. To make up the difference, it will run constantly to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You’ll eventually have to purchase a new air conditioner more suited to the size of your home – and sooner rather than later, as the extra strain will shorten the lifespan of your current unit.
- An Old Air Conditioner
AC units typically last up to 15 or 20 years, but after 10 years you might see a decrease in performance quality. A new unit will have fewer problems and run more efficiently than an outdated model.
- A Clogged Air Filter
If you have issues with air flow, cool air won’t be delivered properly to your home. If this is the case, your AC unit will work constantly, but accomplish very little. To avoid this, make sure that your AC unit is regularly cleaned of dust and debris. We suggest replacing your air conditioner’s air filter every month during air conditioning season.
- Dirty Coils
In order to cool your air, the air is blown over coils, which remove heat from the air. If there is dirt or ice built up on these coils, they won’t work as efficiently, making your AC unit run harder and longer. See a technician if you think your coils are to blame.
- Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant runs through your AC’s coils to remove heat from the air. If there is a leak, your AC won’t have enough refrigerant to sufficiently cool the air. The system will continue to run, trying to satisfy the thermostat setting. Speak with a technician to see if low refrigerant may be the problem.
Need some help replacing or repairing your air conditioner? Contact Supreme Service Today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians today or call us at (410) 522-1764.
