Everything You Should Know About Heat Pumps

What May Be Causing Your Air Conditioner To Run All Day

1 July 2019

Jessica Jimenez

It's concerning when you realize your air conditioner is running all day and not turning off as it should. That probably means you'll have a high power bill coming up, and it's even worse if the AC runs constantly and you're still not as cool as you should be. This is a common problem that has a few different causes. Here's a look at some reasons why this might be happening and some ways to repair the issue.

The Thermostat Is Malfunctioning

One thing you want to consider is the thermostat. Your AC is probably running constantly because it's trying to reach the set point on the thermostat but it's having trouble getting there. Make sure your thermostat is set properly and check the batteries. You may need the thermostat checked or replaced by an HVAC technician if it's the cause of the problem.

The Ducts Are Leaking

If cool air leaks out of the ducts before it can blow out the registers, it will be much harder to keep your home cool. Feel the air coming out of the ducts to see if the airflow is weaker than usual. If you can get in your attic to look over the ducts, check for damage or seams that are coming loose and allowing air to leak out. You might be able to seal the gaps with duct tape, but you'll want to check your DIY repairs occasionally to make sure the tape holds and that no more damage occurs if it's a rat or raccoon causing the problem. If you do have a problem with animals getting in your attic, seal off their access holes so they leave your AC ducts alone.

The Air Conditioner Is Dirty

Your air conditioner needs adequate airflow over the coils so the air can cool properly. If anything restricts airflow, such as dust buildup, or if the coils are dirty, then the air conditioner won't be able to work as well and it won't reach the set thermostat temperature. Check the filter first to see if it needs to be replaced. If you haven't had a service call recently to clean the AC, call an air conditioning repair company to take a look at your AC to see if dust buildup or ice on the coils could be causing the problem.

The Refrigerant Is Low

One common AC repair that's needed when your AC runs all the time and can't keep your home cool is when the refrigerant leaks out. When this happens, your AC can't cool your home and a technician has to find the leak and plug it so new refrigerant can be added.

An air conditioner that runs all the time is not a good thing since it drives up your power bill and wears out the AC. When this problem happens in your home, call an air conditioning repair service so the problem is fixed right away and you can get comfortable in your home again.

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