By Team JSR

After a tiring day from work, the feeling of entering an air-conditioned house cannot be matched. It is especially comforting when the weather is extremely warm and humid. In some cases, you may find your air conditioner (AC) running more often than necessary, or it could be struggling to work. Issues like these could indicate that something is wrong, and you should consider having it serviced.

In this article, we’ll go into detail on the causes of a heat pump running continuously, and provide solutions to solve it. Many of these issues can be resolved easily through regular maintenance. When all else fails, a professional’s help might be required.

Should you run AC continuously?

Generally, an air conditioning unit operates in recurring cycles under normal conditions. The cycle of heating and cooling continues until it reaches your desired temperature when you turn it on. If you have inverter AC model, they are energy efficient and cost-effective as they are designed to run at a lower power consumption. The way inverter works is by controlling the compressor’s speed to keep the temperature steady and allowing you to run fewer cycles, reducing your energy consumption.

When the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperature is larger, it’s natural for your heat pump to cycle more often or for longer duration. This is because the AC has to run more frequently and with more effort in order to keep up with the desired temperature. Setting the temperature to economical is often the key to making an air conditioner run smoothly again.

In another scenario, if your AC unit is running cycles more often than necessary, it’s likely due to an open door or window that’s allowing the conditioned air to quickly escape. To fix this issue, check for any open spaces that could be letting the air out and close them. Doing so should help your heat pump cycle less frequently and save you energy in the process.

If your AC runs constantly despite the mild weather or keeps running no matter what, you might need to look into the root of the problem.

Why should you be concerned if the AC runs constantly?

Ignoring an AC issues can create serious problems in the long run. It’s always best to take care of these issues as soon as possible. Here are some issues that can arise:

• Your AC losing its effectiveness – AC units are meant to make our homes more comfortable and enjoyable. However, when they start malfunctioning, they become unreliable and unable to carry out their primary role effectively.

• Fast energy consumption – The more AC cycles, the higher amount of energy it consumes. Thankfully, modern AC models are designed to be more energy efficient than their older counterparts, allowing you to save on electricity bills. For maximum efficiency, AC must be maintained annually.

• Malfunctioning AC parts – It may seem inconvenient to service your AC, but not resolving the problems can cause even more damage and significantly decrease the lifespan of it.

What causes AC to keep cycling constantly?

Common issues for constant AC running:

• Clogged air filters – The AC’s filters have an essential role to keep dust and particles away, improving indoor air quality, and letting clean air flow through. The issue is that they can get clogged when they have too much debris or dirt trapped, and airflow becomes much more restricted, meaning your AC has to work harder and longer to reach desired temperatures.

• Dirty evaporator coil – The evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air that is blown onto it. Because of this, it is susceptible to dust build-up; and over time, it can become an issue, as the coil gets covered in particles, reducing the AC’s ability to cool, and causing it to consume more energy. You may even notice the AC blows warm air instead of cool air. This can also happen if the evaporator coil is frozen.

• Clogged or leaky vents – Clogged or leaky vents. Vents and ducts enable air to flow and allow the AC to run as it is designed to. When there are obstructions or leaks in the vents, air may not flow correctly, or it may even leak, preventing the AC from working properly.

• Thermostat issues – The thermostat gives readings of the temperature, and thanks to it, the AC can stop the cycle when the temperature is adequate. In some cases, it is possible that the thermostat stops working correctly, and gives incorrect readings, thus not allowing the AC to stop the cycle even if the room has been cooled off.

• Low refrigerant level – An AC’s refrigerant level can become low when there is a leak. The refrigerant is what enables the AC to cool warm air off, so if there is not enough, even when the AC runs constantly, it won’t get to the desired temperature.

• Incorrect AC size – The AC’s size should be suitable for the room’s size and features. An AC that is too small may run constantly to cool a room that is too big for its capacity. And an AC that is too large is no good either, as it can waste more energy to cool a small space.

What if the outdoor AC unit is running continuously? 

It may happen that it’s not the indoor unit that keeps cycling, but rather the issue is that the outdoor unit keeps running. It can be more difficult to notice malfunctions in the outdoor unit, as we look less at it, and thus do not think much about it. But some of the symptoms of an outdoor unit running constantly are also noticeable in the way your AC cools. It may not cool entirely, or you may notice it is not as effective as it used to be, or there is a sudden increase in its energy consumption.

Dirty condenser coil. In some cases, you may notice the outdoor unit keeps running even if the temperature indoors is adequate. This can happen when there is dust build-up on the condenser coil. The condenser coil releases the heat that is absorbed from your home’s air. As it is in the outdoor unit, it is more susceptible to external factors. Not only dust and particles, but rainwater, frost, and insects can also get in between the outdoor unit’s components. Dust and dirt covering the condenser coil prevent it from letting the heat disperse, and thus the outdoor unit keeps running.

What can be done to fix AC from running constantly?

Many of the causes listed above are easily prevented by maintenance checkups. The aim of preventive maintenance is to keep the AC functioning smoothly for as long as possible. It reduces the need for repairs and replacement of components that could have been saved if serviced sooner. These are some of the routine maintenance tasks that prevent issues down the road.

Filter maintenance and cleaning. Fortunately, this task can be easily done by yourself, if you closely follow the appropriate directions. Keeping the air filters clean will not only let the AC run better, but you will also notice improved indoor air quality.

Routine cleaning and checkup. You can perform a basic checkup by cleaning the outer casing of the AC unit with a damp cloth to remove dust. And look for any obstructions around the vents, leakage or unusual noises or smells. Remember to do this both for the indoor unit and outdoor unit.

AC unit maintenance. This is a task a professional should perform, as they will not only solve any issues that need immediate attention, such as cleaning the dirty condenser and evaporator coils, but also find any irregularities that could be overlooked if not observed with expertise.

Duct maintenance. Usually, if the AC’s installation is properly made, the system’s ductwork will remain optimal for years, as filters keep particles and debris out. Most of the time, the only maintenance ducts need is a checkup to see everything is in order and some occasional cleaning.  But sometimes, ducts can present leaks that need to be caulked, or they may need to be insulated if extreme weather conditions affect them. In any case, an expert’s advice is needed for ductwork maintenance.

When should you contact a professional?

If regular maintenance fails to resolve any errors with your heat pump, you might need to consider contacting a certified technician for further assistance. An AC repair expert might be the only solution if your thermostat or refrigerant is not working as it should. They can efficiently fix the issue and provide useful advice regarding further steps you can take.

The emphasis on hiring an experienced professional for the installation of an air conditioning system is important. Doing this will ensure that you get the maximum benefit from your HVAC system. A qualified AC technician company like the JSR will make an efficient and reliable installation, helping you save money in the long run. They have the experience required to ensure the installation is optimal for your home’s needs, which could lead to money-saving benefits. For example, an AC fitted in your home might be an incorrect size; the technician can recommend replacing it. This situation would have been avoided with the advice of a credible professional, who considers your home’s size, ceiling height, sun direction, insulation, and other suggestions, to recommend the appropriate AC with the correct capacity.

Get Air Conditioning Advice from JSR

 Ask our lovely team at JSR about choosing cooling system of your home. They’ll help you with the maintenance, provide the right solution for your comfort, and cost-effective results.