7 Common Causes Your A/C Runs Non-Stop

Your air conditioner is one of the most important appliances in your home during the summer. Not only does it keep you cool, but it also helps to protect your furniture and other belongings from damage caused by extreme heat. If your A/C is running non-stop, there may be a problem that needs to be fixed.

Here are seven common causes of this issue.

 

1. The Air Conditioner Is The Wrong Size.

Too Small of a Unit: If your central air conditioner is insufficient, it will have to work harder to cool your home. Over time, this will cause your device to wear out faster and its lifespan to be shorter. Even though the system is on frequently, you will never achieve the desired temperature in your house. Furthermore, breakdowns are unavoidable.

Too Large of a Unit: If your system is too big, it won't remove moisture effectively from the air in your house, resulting in a lot of damp, clammy air coming out. It will run for fewer periods than it should and consume far more power, resulting in higher energy costs.

To avoid this problem, make sure to choose an A/C unit that is the right size for the room.

 

2. The Air Conditioner Is Not Properly Vented.

If your air conditioner is not properly vented, the hot air it produces will stay in the room instead of being released outside. This can cause the unit to work harder than necessary and run for longer periods of time. Make sure the A/C is properly vented to avoid this problem.

If the vents are blocked, the air conditioner will have to work harder to cool the home. To avoid this problem, make sure that all vents are clear and unobstructed.

 

3. The Air Filter Is Dirty.

If the air filter is dirty, it will restrict the airflow to the A/C unit. This can cause the unit to work harder than necessary and run for longer periods of time.

A filthy filter makes your equipment work harder, resulting in overheating. Filters should be cleaned or replaced at least once a month for optimum performance.

To avoid this problem, make sure to regularly clean or replace the air filter.

 

4. Thermostat Not Working

If your system seems to never shut off, there may be an issue with your thermostat. If it’s not calibrated correctly, the A/C unit will run longer than necessary. You should also check to see if the thermostat is set to “cool” or "heat" mode.

Thermostats are generally dependable, but they may malfunction.

 

5. The Air Conditioner Is Not Properly Maintained.

If you don't maintain your air conditioner, it will have to work harder to cool your home. This can cause it to run non-stop. To avoid this problem, make sure to regularly clean or replace the air filter and have the unit serviced by a professional.

Maintenance should be done twice a year, in the spring before the summer heat arrives and again at the onset of fall. If your system, including your ducts, coils, and air filter, is unclean, you'll almost certainly run into airflow issues and inefficiency.
 

6. Leaky or Poor Insulated Home

Another typical cause of a unit to run constantly and inefficiently is poor sealing or insufficient insulation. Holes or non-insulated walls, as well as un-insulated roofing, may allow your home's air to escape while your A/C system is operating, causing you to lose that essential cool air during the summer.

 

7. There Is A Problem With The Air Conditioner.

Sometimes there is an issue with your A/C unit. If it is not working properly, it will run for longer periods of time.

If there is a problem with the air conditioner, it will have to work harder to cool the home. To avoid this problem, make sure to have the unit serviced by a professional.

Air conditioners also have a life span. Even if you take excellent care of your equipment, it will wear out at some point.

You should consider replacing your old, inefficient unit with a more energy-efficient one if it hasn't already been replaced. This will save you money in the long run because modern units operate much more efficiently than previous models.

There are many reasons why your A/C might be running non-stop. It could be a problem with the unit itself, or there could be something wrong with your home's cooling system. No matter what the cause, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid further damage and higher energy costs.

 
Contact Craig Plumbing Heating and Cooling to schedule an appointment with one of our certified technicians. We will be happy to come to your home and take a look at your A/C unit to determine what is causing it to run non-stop. We will then provide you with a solution to get your A/C unit running properly again.