Why is My Air Conditioner Running Constantly?

When your air conditioner runs throughout the day and night without shutting off, or if it cycles on and off continuously, there are several causes for concern. Typically, there are 9 reasons why an air conditioner constantly runs.

Dirty evaporator coil

Dust and dirt can clog up the evaporator coil. When this occurs, air flow is hampered as the air conditioner’s performance is diminished. Even if you had the A/C recently serviced, enough dirt could have reentered again to affect the working components.

Clogged air filter

A clogged air filter prevents air from entering the A/C and flowing over the evaporator coils. So the humidity builds up in the room. The unit struggles to cool the air to the required thermostat temperature as you end up having a system that constantly runs.

Frozen evaporator coil

Even with the temperatures in the upper digits, the evaporator coil can get so cold that it freezes over. You can figure out if it is a frozen evaporator coil if the air supply vents blow out warm air constantly.

Faulty thermostat

The thermostat on the air conditioner may be set incorrectly. So it is recording that the room’s temperature is several degrees higher than what it actually is in the room. The thermostat on the A/C will need to be reset or replaced.

Dirty or blocked condenser

Outdoor A/C units can become clogged from leaves, wind-blown debris, grass clippings, insects and pest nests. Once the condenser becomes blocked, the flow of air is impeded and affects the system’s efficiency. You need to have a professional clean out the condenser.

Blower motor and fan issues

Dust can infiltrate the smallest places. If dust is inside the blower motor or coating the fans, the components can’t run optimally. The blower motor can’t produce enough air, or the fan is running at a lower speed. So the air conditioner has to work overtime to cool your home.

Leaky ducts / poor insulation

Sometimes the main problem isn’t with your central air unit. It could be other aspects of your home causing issues. Leaky ducts and poor insulation can result in significant air loss, and the conditioned cool air can never fully reach the room.

Incorrectly sized unit

Does the air always feel warm no matter how long the A/C unit is on? You may have a unit that is too small for the size of the room. Another common problem is when you add on to the home but keep the same size cooling unit. The system is no longer adequate and must run overtime to cool off additional spaces.

Your unit is old and needs to be replaced

No air conditioner lasts forever. The hot Denver Metro area summers can eventually cause wear-and-tear to your unit as it will need to be replaced. A new unit is often more efficient than previous models. They can use less electricity while keeping you cooler.

An air conditioner that constantly runs can leave you in a bad predicament. You either have to manually turn the unit on and off, or leave it running as your utility bills increase. Avoid these problems by getting your A/C serviced or repaired by ABE Heating and Cooling. We can help you keep your home cool and your utility bills under control.