Manufacturers design air conditioners to detect if the air inside of a room or structure requires additional cooling at any given time to maintain a preset temperature. An AC typically shouldn't run all of the time unless it has a fan-only option that allows continuous flow of non-cool air or a dehumidifying-only option that removes moisture from the air without cooling. Your system might have a serious problem if it's always running and fails to keep the air inside a designated space at or near your preferred temperature level. An AC that isn't running efficiently can also do more harm than make you feel uncomfortable. It wastes electricity and increases your energy bill. 

If your air conditioner is running more than necessary, check the following possible causes to create a comfortable environment and save money: 

Unit Size 
A small system won't cool an entire building. You should always take into account the manufacturer's instructions for use in regards to space. For example, a small 5,000 BTU air conditioner won't cool as much space as a larger 12,000 BTU system. 

Poor Maintenance 
An AC works harder and longer if filled with dust, dirt and other debris because the debris makes its parts struggle to function optimally when absorbing heat and moisture and cooling the air. Debris blocking filters or air vents causes poor air flow, which makes the system struggle to push cool air into a space. Debris on certain parts, such as the fan or motor, causes part slowdown and overheating. 

Repair Problem 
A bad thermostat or temperature sensor can cause your system to misread the current air temperature. A defective or dirty frozen evaporator coil or refrigerant leak can make it harder for your AC to create cool air. If you have an HVAC system, it might run continuously because an air duct has a poor seal that leaks cool air away from one or more rooms. 

It isn't difficult to fix any of these problems. If you're using a window unit, you might be able to stop continuous running by closing doors to unused rooms to reduce the amount of space that it must cool. If you have a unit that's the wrong size and you want to cool more space, invest in additional small units for each room, replace the unit with a larger one that can handle more than one room or install a whole-home HVAC system. Also, hire a professional to clean, inspect and maintain your AC at least once a year.

If you are having issues with your air conditioner contact us today and one of our specialists would be happy to help you. If it's time for you to invest in a new air conditioner, check out the variety that Maple Air offers.