Why Is My Air Conditioner Running Constantly?

A question we often hear from our customers in the Raleigh, NC area is, “Why is my air conditioner running all the time?”

Many of our customers think that if their AC is running non-stop, then there’s a problem—which can be true! But it’s also worth noting that your air conditioner could be running continuously in an effort to keep your home cool and comfortable in spite of the North Carolina heat. If that’s the case, there might not be a problem at all.

Is It Bad If My Air Conditioner Is Running All The Time?

As mentioned above, it’s not necessarily a negative thing for your air conditioner to be running continuously to cool your home—pending a few factors. First, consider whether you are staying comfortable in your home. If you’re reaching the desired temperature on your thermostat even on the hottest days of the summer, and the airflow from your vents is normal, then you’re in good shape. Second, check if you’re paying roughly the same amount in energy bills as you did this time last year. If so, there’s probably not an issue!

However, if your air conditioner is running non-stop and your home isn’t getting as cool as you want it to, the airflow from your vents isn’t at its normal level, and your energy bills are much higher than they were at this time last year, there may be cause for concern.

What Could Be Causing Your Air Conditioner to Run Continuously

If your air conditioner is running all the time but isn’t keeping your home cool enough (and is costing you more money in energy bills), it’s time to figure out what’s causing the issue so you can resolve it!

There are a few common issues that can cause air conditioners to run constantly without stopping.

• Your air conditioner is the wrong size – It’s important to install an air conditioner that is the right size to cool your whole home. If your air conditioner is too small, it will constantly work to try to cool your home, which can cause your evaporator coil to freeze. This can damage your compressor, which is expensive to replace! You can contact our team at Air Experts to evaluate whether your air conditioner is too small to properly cool your home.
• Your evaporator coil is dirty – Speaking of evaporator coils, if you didn’t schedule your annual air conditioner tune-up this spring, your evaporator coil could be coated in dirt or debris, which could keep it from absorbing heat from your home’s air. This could lead your unit to run all the time in an attempt to absorb the heat from your home.
• Your unit’s refrigerant levels are low – If your air conditioner isn’t blowing out cold air, the issue could be low refrigerant levels—which could indicate a refrigerant leak in your system. If this is the case, your AC will run constantly trying to reach the desired temperature indicated on your thermostat, but will fail to bring your home’s air down to that temperature. You’ll need to schedule an air conditioner repair appointment to resolve the issue.

To find out whether your air conditioner is suffering from these or any other issues that could be causing it to run constantly, your best bet is to call in an expert! Our team at Air Experts will diagnose the issue and resolve it as quickly and efficiently as possible, so you can get back to enjoying a cool, comfortable home.

Call Air Experts to Repair Your Air Conditioner Today!

Air Experts Heating & Cooling has been the Raleigh-Durham area’s go-to for all home heating, cooling, and indoor air quality needs since 1986.  For three decades, homeowners in and around the area have turned to Air Experts because of the professional knowledge and continued reliability we’ve provided.

Our Super 7 Guarantees assure you that your satisfaction and comfort are our top priorities. If you’re in need of AC repair in the Triangle area, give us a call at 919-480-2727 or contact us online to schedule your repair today!