If you hear your air conditioner humming all day long, you could have a problem. Contrary to popular belief, an AC is not meant to be on all day. An air conditioner that never stops needs HVAC service or repair in Port Richey, or you could be facing complete system failure. Find out more about how frequently your AC should run and whether or not your system is operating as it should.
What Does “All the Time” Mean?
First, it’s important to clarify something. When you say your air conditioner runs “all the time”, what exactly do you mean? Does it kick on and off every five minutes? Or do you have a hard time remembering the last time your system wasn’t running?
Your definition of “all the time” matters because there may not be anything wrong with your HVAC. On a hot day, your AC will need to run frequently to maintain a comfortable home environment. The hotter it is outside, the longer your system will run. If you notice your AC running all day on the hottest day of the summer, you don’t need to worry.
Meanwhile, there are times when your AC shouldn’t be constantly running. On a cooler day, your AC shouldn’t kick on much. And even if it is hot outside, the system should stop running every so often. It’s also an issue if your energy bills are sky-high. Although the bills fluctuate from month to month, you probably know what to expect from your energy bills in each season.
Finally, you should be concerned if your AC is only blowing warm air. In this case, you have a problem with this system and need a new air conditioning installation or repair. If warm air is blowing out, your home will never be at the right temperature, and the system will always run.
Why Is It Running All the Time?
Assuming it’s not just a hot day outside, there are a few reasons your AC might be incessantly running. Any one of the following could be why your air conditioner turns on too much.
Limited Air Flow
If your air conditioner vents are blocked with particles, air can’t pass through the system. It will still run, but it won’t have enough airflow to cool your home. While there could be other issues causing poor airflow, dirty filters are one of the most common.
Fortunately, this is an easy diagnosis and fix. All you need to do is hold your hand up to the AC when it’s running. If the airflow is weak, you should check the filters. Turn off the AC, pull out the old filter, and determine whether or not you need to replace it.
Dirty Coils
Evaporator coils act as a road for the refrigerant. When the coils are clean, refrigerant runs through the system and pulls heat out of the air from your home. However, refrigerant doesn’t absorb enough heat if the coils are dirty. The dirt acts as a barrier and prevents the AC from cooling the air.
When you have dirty evaporator coils, the air blowing out of your system is warm. You should have An experienced technician come out to inspect your HVAC system and clean the coils. If you receive annual maintenance, you don’t need to worry about this.
Refrigerant Leak
Your coils can prevent refrigerants from doing their job, but what happens when your system doesn’t have enough refrigerant? If you have a leak in the system or your refrigerant needs a top-up, the air conditioner won’t work as it should.
A refrigerant leak is a serious issue. Typically, signs of a leak include icy buildup, lack of cool air, or a hissing noise. Until you fix the leak, your AC will continue to run as it tries and fails to cool your home.
AC Is Old
Your air conditioner won’t last forever, and you need to look out for signs of disrepair. One of the signs it’s time to replace your AC is when the system runs constantly. When an AC approaches 15 years of age, it could be time to replace it.
As an air conditioner approaches the end of its life, it works hard to meet your cooling needs. And, by this time, a repair probably won’t do you much good. The system will continue to need repairs.
AC is Too Small
Whether you move into a home or you have a new air conditioning installation, you could notice some issues with the AC. In this case, the system could seem too small for your home. There’s only one way to fix this, and it’s not cheap.
If your AC is too small, the only way to keep your AC from constantly running is to have an HVAC technician install a new system. Eventually, the small air conditioner will fail you. It won’t have a long lifespan and you’ll need to replace it anyway.
A reputable professional will examine your current setup and determine whether or not it’s the appropriate size. Before installing a new system, the technician will assess your needs and determine which system is the best for you.
You Need a Tune-Up
All of these reasons can be summed up with one statement – your system needs a tune-up. If it seems like your air conditioner is always running, you probably have a problem. It could be something simple or something complex, but the only way to tell is to call a professional.
Whatever you do, don’t hesitate to call in a professional. If your AC always runs, it will cause your energy bills to rise. Furthermore, the system will suffer from excess wear and tear. It won’t be long before you need to repair or replace your air conditioner.
With a tune-up, you can give your air conditioner the attention it needs. If your technician notices any issues, they can inform you of them and perform necessary repairs. The next time you need an HVAC service in Port Richey, give us a call at Comfort All-Stars and let us help.
