It’s normal to hear your air conditioner turn on to cool the house during the summer. But air conditioners shouldn’t be operating all the time, nor even for extended periods: It should simply cool down your home and then switch off. So what’s happening if you notice that your AC seems to be running all the time and rarely turning off? Here are several clues about what may be going on and what to do about it.

Thermostat Issues

Your first step should always be to check the thermostat. If your thermostat is turned way too far down in the summer, then your AC will keep on running, trying to lower the temperature to this level, but struggling in the heat. This will cost a lot of money without being an effective cooling strategy, so ensure that your thermostat settings are reasonable and haven’t been tampered with.

Sometimes thermostat wiring or sensor problems can cause similar reactions, but in this case, a professional should diagnose the issue and suggest if you need a new thermostat or not.

In other cases, the thermostat may be set to “cycle” the air by turning it on once an hour or so. This is intended behavior even though it makes it seem like your AC unit is running a lot. It’s used to maintain temperatures in milder conditions without running the AC for long periods of time. Talk to an expert if you aren’t sure which thermostat mode is right for you.

Your AC Unit Isn’t Properly Sized

Air conditioners are sized based on how many cubic feet of space they are manufactured to manage. Sometimes, the wrong model of air conditioner is installed, or the house has been renovated since that installation (even the addition of a new family member can sometimes change AC needs). In these cases, the unit may be too small to match your current cooling needs, which in turn means that it is working too hard in a space it can’t manage. The best solution here is to start looking for a new air conditioner that matches your current home situation.

Your AC is Struggling to Take in Hot Air

Air conditioners work by taking in hot air and cycling it through a system that squeezes the heat out via refrigerant and letting it dissipate outside. An air conditioner that’s running all the time may have trouble taking in enough hot air to make a difference, which usually indicates an old, clogged filter or a blockage somewhere in the system. If your air doesn’t feel very cool, this may be a sign that there is a refrigerant leak or other issue with your AC that requires a professional inspection.

Remember, an air conditioner that’s running all the time is going to run into problems with wear and tear and have a shortened lifespan – plus, it’s probably creating unnecessarily high energy bills during the summer months. If you suspect that your AC was running too much during the warmer months, contact Guaranteed Heating & Cooling today and we will be happy to help out!