Do you have a “runaway air conditioner”? Okay, this isn’t an official term or anything, but when your air conditioner just keeps running and running without ever shutting off, you might think of it that way. What could possibly be going on? It’s not that hot, is it?
The fact is, the run time of your air conditioner might have nothing to do with the temperature at all. There are actually several reasons this might be happening, and unfortunately, it’s wasting a lot of the energy that you’re still paying to use. The compressor within your air conditioner draws on a large amount of electrical power to operate, so this becomes even costlier if it’s always running.
When you need a trusted professional for your AC service in Cedar Rapids, IA, you needn’t look any further than Dalton! In the meantime, read on to see what could be behind this “runaway air conditioner” problem.
Your Air Conditioner May Have Been Poorly Sized
We’re not talking about the actual volume of your air conditioner, but rather how much cooling it’s actually able to provide to your space–how much power it gives. An air conditioner can be underpowered or even overpowered. What happens when it’s underpowered is it just keeps running the compressor because it can’t possibly reach the desired temperature setting on your thermostat.
Unfortunately, the only “fix” for this particular problem is to replace the air conditioner altogether. Fortunately, we can help with this in addition to quality and reliable repairs!
You Have a Clogged Air Filter
We have a bit of good news here–you don’t have to call an HVAC professional to fix this problem! In fact, changing your air filter is something any homeowner can and should do on their own every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants in the home.
You see, the standard HVAC air filter is in place to protect the air conditioner or heater from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and harm its sensitive components. But when that air filter gets too clogged up with that debris, it restricts airflow going into your system. The air conditioner draws in hot air from the home, and when the air filter is too clogged, it can’t get all the hot air, so that heat stays in your home, making it impossible for the air conditioner to actually reach a lower temperature.
You Have a Thermostat Malfunction
The problem might not be your actual air conditioner at all, but rather the “brain” of the system–your thermostat. It only takes one lost connection–the wire that sends the signal to shut down the compressor of your air conditioner–to leave your cooling system’s compressor operating nonstop. The thermostat may also be miscalibrated and sense incorrect temperatures, which can lead to a nonstop AC.
As you can see, if your air conditioner keeps running and you can’t resolve the issue by changing the air filter, it’s probably time to give our team a call!
At Dalton Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electric and Fireplaces, Inc., your comfort is our promise! To set up an appointment in the Cedar Rapids area, give us a call at the number above, email customerservice@daltonphc.com or schedule an appointment online.