When it comes to summer temperatures, ice cream isn’t always enough to keep you cool. On these hot days, you may be tempted to run your air conditioner nonstop. But how long can you operate an air conditioner constantly without getting into trouble?
While you may have heard that HVAC devices can overheat, if your air conditioner is in good working order, it should be able to run continuously without any problem.
While you can run a well-maintained AC for the entire day without any issues, it doesn’t mean that you should do it, as you risk overworking the unit.
Signs your air conditioner is overworking
If your air conditioner must run continually to keep your home cool, it may be time to call a professional AC repair services for repair or consider having your AC replaced. In addition to running continuously, here are some more symptoms that your AC unit is overworking and requires some extra attention:
The room or house still feels humid. Air conditioners remove humidity from the air to keep it cool. If your home remains humid even with the AC on, it may be time to contact a professional for HVAC repair.
Strange Noises: Most air conditioners are not entirely silent. But if you hear weird or loud noises from your air conditioner, it could be due to loose or broken parts.
Energy expenses are rising: If you notice an increase in your power bill, it could be due to an aging or inefficient air conditioner.
Leaks: Coolant spilling from your central air conditioning system spells disaster. If you find fluid leaks, contact a local air conditioning repair firm right away.
If your air conditioner won’t chill the house without constantly running and you observe any of the symptoms listed above, it’s time to call for HVAC repair.
Reasons your AC might be overworking
There are various causes of an overworked air conditioning unit. If you believe that your home’s air conditioner is overworking, you should have it evaluated by an expert to establish the leading cause of the problem.
One common cause is restricted airflow from variables such as a dirty air filter. When the air filter becomes clogged, the air conditioner must work harder to circulate air, requiring it to run for longer periods of time.
Another probable cause of reduced airflow is a ductwork blockage. A blockage can reduce the quantity of airflow in the system, and clogged vents may cause the unit to work more than necessary to circulate air through them and attain the target temperature adequately.
Leaks in the ductwork can further increase run time by reducing the overall efficiency of the system.
Another probable culprit is surprisingly simple: an undersized air conditioner. An undersized air conditioning system is typically manifested as an air conditioner that never stops running.
When this happens, cooling coil pressure begins to diminish before freezing over, potentially damaging your AC’s compressor. If you feel that your air conditioning system is not the right size for your home, contact a reputable AC specialist and have it replaced.
Other concerns that could be causing your home’s air conditioning system to overwork include inadequate refrigerant or a filthy evaporator.
A competent air conditioning technician from a reputable AC firm will be in a better position to assess your system, identify the problem, and come up with a solution to restore your home’s air conditioning system to peak performance.
Dangers of running your AC continuously
As mentioned, just because you can run your AC 24/7, it doesn’t mean that you should do it. This is because doing it comes with plenty of issues, including:
Higher electricity bills: If your AC runs constantly, you’ll consume a lot of power, resulting in a large increase in your monthly energy rates.
Quicker wear and tear: Your AC’s parts will ultimately wear down with regular use; therefore, you should expect them to wear down much faster with continuous AC use.
You will need more filters: If your air conditioner is always turned on, you will need to replace your air filters more frequently.
How to maintain your AC
Keeping your air conditioner in good shape allows it to cool your home faster. This way, you won’t have to run it constantly to maintain the correct temperature. Consider these routine maintenance tips to keep your air conditioner functioning smoothly.
Remove window units seasonally: Leaving a window unit placed all year makes it difficult for your central HVAC unit to heat the room in the winter and reduces the air conditioner’s life span.
Clean your window unit: Cleaning your window air conditioner on a regular basis can keep it functioning at peak efficiency. Cleaning your window AC unit takes less than an hour, and you can accomplish it using items you already have at home.
Schedule regular service: Before the weather warms up each year, contact the professionals to ensure everything is in working order.
Replace filters regularly: Changing your filter helps your air conditioner function more efficiently and keeps your home’s air cleaner. The frequency with which you replace a filter is determined by its thickness.
To stay on the safe side, replace your filters once a month to once every three months.
Parting shot
If you have been wondering how long your air conditioner can run continuously, it can run 24/7 without any issues. While this is the case, it doesn’t mean that you should regularly do this as you risk spending too much money on your energy bill, not to mention risking overworking the unit.
For you to be on the safe side, keep your unit in top shape and work closely with your air conditioner repair services Huntington to monitor your unit and find out the reason the unit isn’t working as well as it should.
If you find an issue, move with haste and fix it as soon as possible. As a rule of thumb, ensure that you work with professionals who will get the work done for you better and with utmost precision without causing additional problems down the road.