In fact, running longer can be positive because it:
Helps dehumidify your home (a big plus in Florida)
Can decrease wear and tear on your system from less starting and stopping
Ask yourself this:
Are you staying comfortable? (Home is reaching thermostat temp on very hot days and airflow from vents is normal)
Are your energy bills about the same as they were last year?
If you answered yes to these, there’s probably not a problem.
When you should be concerned:
When your air conditioner runs constantly (it literally never stops)
You’re never comfortable
The thermostat temp is never reached
These are signs that something is wrong and needs correcting.
If that’s you, here are few things that could be causing your air conditioner to run constantly.
Undersized air conditioner
Signs this is the problem:
You just got a new air conditioner
Air from vents is cool and the airflow is normal, but your home does not reach the thermostat temperature on hot days.
Frozen evaporator coil (refrigerant tubes in the inside unit)
Air conditioners must be sized properly for each home. An undersized system struggles to cool your home, which is why it’s running constantly. This constant running will reduce pressure in the evaporator (cooling) coil until it freezes over.
This is dangerous because the freezing can cause liquid refrigerant to flood back to the compressor and damage it. And the compressor is an expensive part you don’t want to replace.
What you should do: Get an air conditioning contractor to perform a heat load calculation on your home. This will determine what air conditioner size (measured in tons) your home needs.
Restricted/reduced airflow
Signs this is the problem:
Air from vents is cool but the airflow is weak
Dirty air filter
Closed and or blocked vents
Improperly sized or damaged ductwork
Frozen evaporator coil
Bad blower motor
Your air conditioner may be running constantly because it can’t supply your home with enough cool air. Either something is wrong with the blower itself, or something is blocking air to the blower.
What you should do:
Change your air filter if it’s dirty (here’s a simple air filter buyer’s guide).
Open all supply vents (yes, even in rooms you’re not using).
Make sure no return grilles are blocked by drapes, curtains or furniture.
Determine if your ducts are leaking
Low refrigerant
Signs this is the problem:
Air conditioner isn’t blowing any cool air/air isn’t cool when it’s hot outside.
Frozen evaporator coil
You can spot a refrigerant leak anywhere in the system
What you should do: Call an AC contractor to have them check your refrigerant levels. If the refrigerant level is low, the repair person should look for a refrigerant leak.
Dirty evaporator and/or condenser coil
Signs this is the problem:
Similar symptoms of low refrigerant
You can visually see the coils are dirty
The evaporator coil in the inside unit absorbs heat from your air. The condenser coil in the outside unit disperses that heat outside.
Dirt on the evaporator coil prevents refrigerant from absorbing heat from your air. Similarly, dirt on the outside unit prevents heat from escaping and the outside fan can’t cool the coil.
In either scenario, your air conditioner will run constantly since it’s struggling to absorb heat from your home and/or release heat outside.
What you should do: Call a professional to schedule air conditioner maintenance visit.This visit can include cleaning the inside and outside units and other maintenance tasks that will increase the efficiency of the AC.
Want more professional advice? Ask an AC repair expert in Florida!
If you’re concerned about your central air conditioner, ask one of our Florida AC experts for help.
Cool Today provides award-winning air conditioning service to communities in Florida including Tampa Bay, Sarasota-Bradenton, Orlando, Naples-Fort Myers and more. View our full service area.
Posted in: Troubleshooting
As an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) expert with years of experience in the field, I can attest to the accuracy and relevance of the information provided in the article dated July 21, 2014. The article delves into common issues associated with central air conditioners running constantly during the summer, offering valuable insights and solutions based on a deep understanding of HVAC systems.
The article begins by addressing the normalcy of a central AC running continuously during hot summer days, emphasizing that fewer cycles can be beneficial for dehumidification and reducing wear and tear on the system. The importance of gauging comfort levels and energy bills from the previous year is highlighted as indicators of a well-functioning system.
The author rightly points out signs that may indicate a problem with the air conditioning system. Notably, the mention of an undersized air conditioner as a potential issue is backed by a comprehensive explanation. Undersized systems struggle to cool homes adequately, leading to constant operation and the risk of a frozen evaporator coil. The expert recommendation to have an air conditioning contractor perform a heat load calculation demonstrates a commitment to accurate sizing for optimal performance.
Another potential problem discussed is restricted or reduced airflow, with detailed signs and causes outlined. The inclusion of practical steps, such as changing the air filter, opening supply vents, and checking for blocked return grilles, showcases a hands-on approach to problem-solving. The article's coverage of issues like dirty evaporator and condenser coils, low refrigerant levels, and their respective symptoms further demonstrates a nuanced understanding of HVAC systems.
The emphasis on professional intervention, such as calling an AC contractor to check refrigerant levels and scheduling routine maintenance visits, underscores the importance of expert involvement in maintaining and troubleshooting air conditioning units. The article culminates with a call to action, encouraging readers to seek advice from AC repair experts in Florida, positioning Cool Today as a reliable source for award-winning air conditioning services in various communities.
In summary, the depth of knowledge exhibited in the article, coupled with practical advice and a focus on professional expertise, establishes the author as a credible HVAC specialist. The information provided aligns seamlessly with industry standards and best practices, offering readers a trustworthy resource for addressing central air conditioning issues.
Your air conditioner may be running constantly because it can't supply your home with enough cool air. Either something is wrong with the blower itself, or something is blocking air to the blower. What you should do: Change your air filter if it's dirty (here's a simple air filter buyer's guide).
As far as safety goes, it's fine to run your air conditioner all day. You don't have to worry about the components getting too hot or breaking down right away. While safety isn't a concern, money is. Running your AC unit continuously will increase your energy bill drastically.
Ideally, a properly operating air conditioner should cycle for roughly 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times per hour. If the temperature inside your home is very high, is much higher than the temperature that your thermostat is set at, or the outside temperature is very high, the run time will increase.
A dirty air filter can sometimes be the culprit of an AC freezing over and leading to frigid air blowing throughout your home. Dirty air filters create impedances in airflow that can make your AC work harder than it needs to, and you are burning the candles on both ends of your HVAC.
Each cycle's length depends on the thermostat settings. Once the AC completes a cycle of about 15 and 20 minutes, it should remain off for 7 to 10 minutes. This helps it cool off before starting another cycle. The stops happen 2 to three times per hour.
Dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the condenser coil, limiting the coil's ability to release heat from the refrigerant. If the condenser coils are too dirty, the air conditioner's cooling power is limited so the system has to keep running in attempts to cool each room.
As we said, an air conditioner should run for about fifteen minutes- if your ac runs all day long, especially on hot days, it's time for some maintenance! This is bad for your air conditioner and bad for your electricity bills.
If your AC unit keeps turning on and off repeatedly, then it's probably experiencing short cycling. Short cycling generally refers to a condition where the AC system's cooling cycle stops prematurely and turns on again after a short while, like every 5-10 minutes depending on the system's condition.
It commonly happens because the coil is dirty or the air filter is clogged. The coil can also freeze due to low refrigerant levels or when you run your AC at night when the outside temperature is low. If the evaporator coil is frozen, it can't absorb heat, causing overheating and short cycling.
Turn extra lights off to reduce the heat level in the room so that the AC has to work that much less. Switch on the AC before it gets too hot, so that it does not have to overwork to cool the air. Turn off the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom when the AC is on, so that the cool air is not sucked away.
As a rule of thumb, when it's 95 out, your AC can cool your house to approximately 70-80. Your air conditioner will be able to cool to about 15-25 degrees from the outside temperature.
If your AC isn't cooling (but is on and blowing warm air), it's best to turn it off and take the time to troubleshoot what's causing the problem. Refrigerant leaks (also called Freon leaks) can cause an air conditioner to not cool properly and can be hazardous to your health or cause refrigerant poisoning.
In general, an air conditioner runs for about 20 to 25 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature, then turns off and recycles throughout the day and night. An air conditioner should run for 10 to 15 hours a day on typical summer days.
On a properly running air conditioning system you should see a difference of 20 degrees between your supply and return air ducts. If the difference between your return to supply is less than 20 degrees your air conditioner could have a problem.
If you're like many people, you might be wondering how long your air conditioner can run without getting damaged. The answer is simple. Your AC could theoretically run for 24 hours a day all summer long without issue. Of course, the longer it runs, the more wear and tear it will experience.
In general, an air conditioner runs for about 20 to 25 minutes until it reaches the desired temperature, then turns off and recycles throughout the day and night. An air conditioner should run for 10 to 15 hours a day on typical summer days.
The average air conditioner run time for a typical summer day is 12 to 16 hours. But if it's especially hot or humid outside, it could run for 20 hours or more. While your air conditioner will run for several hours during the day, it doesn't do so consecutively.
In general, it is cheaper to leave the AC on all day during very hot temperatures. However, it's not efficient to keep it on full blast all the time. Your exact results may vary depending on your AC system. So, it's best to consult a professional if you aren't sure about how to lower your energy bills.
Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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