When the summer months hit, temperatures rise, and so do energy bills. Most households depend heavily upon their AC to keep their home cool and temperatures bearable, especially if they live in hotter climates like Florida, where daily temperatures routinely get above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In these cases, many people may run their AC all day.
You may be worried that running your AC longer during the summer months may cause more AC repair issues. Let’s see if this is true.
Is It OK to Run My AC Longer All Summer?
Most AC systems are designed to run until your home’s indoor temperature meets the desired temperature set on your thermostat. Often, this means that your AC will run for about 20 to 30 minutes then shut off. Your AC then rests before turning back on again when the temperature rises. It will do this all day to maintain your home’s indoor temperature.
So, it’s generally okay to run your AC longer because it’s not actually running all the time.
However, if your AC struggles to maintain a set temperature for your home, or outdoors temperatures rise above 80 degrees, then your AC may just run all day and never shut off. This isn’t good and may be a sign that your AC has other issues.
Possible Issues Causing My AC To Be Running All Day
-
Check Your Thermostat
Your thermostat should be one of your first suspects. Check to see if it’s set to ‘on’ or ‘auto’. If it’s on ‘auto’, then your system will be adjusting as necessary to meet your desired temperature. If it’s set to ‘on’, though, it will run all day, regardless of your home’s temperature.
Another thing to check on your thermostat is that it’s set to a reasonable temperature. Requiring your AC to keep your home at 65 degrees when it’s 90 outside will put unnecessary stress on your system and lead to more frequent and necessary repairs.
-
It Needs a Repair
Sometimes, your AC runs constantly because it needs a repair or cleaning. Your AC may be running all the time because it’s incapable of cooling your home efficiently.
If you notice your AC running all day, but isn’t producing cool air, then it’s likely time for a repair. This may be as simple as cleaning or replacing the air filter, or as complex as cleaning and unclogging the condenser and evaporator coils. Our technicians will be able to investigate and find out what the issue is.
-
It’s Too Small for Your Space
If your AC is too small for the space you’re trying to cool, then it will need to run all day. Unfortunately, this puts a lot of stress on your AC system and means that your home won’t be cooled evenly. If this is the case, you’ll want to upgrade your system as soon as possible or prepare for frequent repairs due to the stress the system is under.
Call Our AC Technicians to Assess Your AC System
Running your AC for longer than usual in the summer is to be expected. However, you don’t have to worry, as most ACs don’t actually run all day. Instead, they often run for under 30 minutes before having a rest and turning off when the temperature reaches your thermoset setting.
However, if you notice your AC running all the time, you might have other issues on hand, and that’s when you need to call our technicians. Overall, too much stress on your AC system will inevitably lead to more frequent repairs, so don’t overwhelm your AC and call us to address any problems as soon as you notice them.