During summer, most people find it’s fairly common for their air conditioners to run frequently throughout the day. However, does it seem like your AC is running more often than it should? It’s worth investigating to make sure that you won’t end up with astronomical energy bills. Below are four common explanations for why an air conditioner might seem like it’s always running.
Reason 1: You own a variable speed AC.
Variable-speed air conditioners can operate at a wide range of speeds, sometimes operating at as low as 25 percent capacity. Instead of shutting off, a variable speed air conditioner will keep running at low power to help maintain your home’s temperature while using less energy. This means that your air conditioner may run longer than a single-speed AC, but not to worry--you’ll still end up saving energy and spending less money to cool your home.
Reason 2: Your AC unit is too small to cool your home effectively.
If your air conditioner does not have enough tonnage (cooling capacity) for your home’s unique size, layout, and temperature challenges, it’s going to struggle during summertime. It may run continuously to try to meet the desired temperature on your thermostat. Running incessantly at full power puts unnecessary stress on the system and can cause the components to overheat or wear out prematurely.
The best HVAC contractors provide you with a thorough consultation to assess your home’s cooling needs and challenges. Based on things like your home size, layout, and number of stories, they’ll recommend an AC unit with enough capacity to cool your home.
Reason 3: Your AC unit is too large for your home and is short-cycling.
If your AC is running for extremely short periods, and the air in your home feels muggy, then you most likely have a short-cycling problem. AC systems that are too large for your home won’t be able to remove humidity effectively, and they usually stop running too early, leading to hot and cold spots around the house.
Reason 4: Your AC system is overdue for maintenance.
Dust buildup in areas such as the evaporator coil and condenser coil can inhibit the cooling process. This results in your AC working longer and harder than it should to reach your desired temperature. If your system hasn’t received maintenance in over a year, it’s overdue for an appointment
At Rescue Air and Plumbing, our dedicated team has the equipment and expertise to provide you with reliable HVAC system maintenance, repairs, and replacements. For service you can count on, give us a call at (972) 201-3253.