Updated August 18, 2023
Your HVAC unit is one of the most important components of your home. Not only does it do the necessary job of controlling your indoor temperature, but it is also the highest energy consumer in your home. For the sake of your energy bills and the temperature in your home, it is important to ensure that your HVAC system is functioning properly. However, sometimes you might come across a problem that you might not be able to pinpoint. Your first inclination might be to panic as you might not know how to troubleshoot the issue at first. But a better way to deal with it would be to calm down and do your research. To help you out, the team at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has prepared a list of the most common HVAC problems that could occur in your home.
AC Constantly Running
In order to efficiently cool your home, your AC provides cooling in cycles. Every hour, your AC should cycle 2 to 3 times, each cycle providing cooling for 10 to 15 minutes. It continues to do this until the cooling reaches the desired temperature on the thermostat. Your AC is not supposed to have excessive cooling cycles and it is not supposed to run constantly.
You can tell if your AC is running constantly if you notice these things:
- You never feel that your AC is properly providing cooling because you constantly feel hot and sticky
- The cooling never seems to reach the set temperature on the thermostat
- The electricity bill is very high
Once you notice these problems, it’s time to get to the underlying issues causing your AC to run constantly.
Here are some reasons your AC might be running overtime:
- Air leaks
If warm outdoor air is constantly getting inside your home through uninsulated areas, gaps, and cracks around your home, your AC will have to consistently work harder to provide the cooling necessary - The thermostat is set to a very low temperature
Setting your thermostat to an unreasonably low temperature, especially considering the heat your AC is absorbing from your surroundings, won’t make your temperature go down faster. Instead, your AC might have to run overtime. Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature that is comfortable for you AND your AC. - AC is too small for your home
Your AC might be providing long cooling cycles because it is under-sized for your home. Find the right size AC for your home, to provide appropriate cooling without increasing your energy bills.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil of your AC contains a cooling agent called refrigerant. When warm indoor air is absorbed through the vents around your home, it blows over the evaporator coil. The cold refrigerant in the coil absorbs the heat and humidity from the air, leading to the air becoming cooler. As you can tell by now, the evaporator coil is necessary for the proper cooling of your home. If it is dirty, however, the warm air might not come into direct contact with the coil and it might not be able to absorb the heat.
The coil will become colder over time and eventually freeze up, which can lead to your AC constantly running and blowing warm air. In addition, it might create airflow problems around your home, leading to hot and cold spots. To troubleshoot this problem, replace your air filter and turn off your AC for an hour to let the coil thaw. If this does not work, call an HVAC technician.
AC Blowing Warm Air
We understand that an AC blowing hot air is an incredibly frustrating issue to deal with.
Here are some underlying problems causing your AC to blow warm air:
- Refrigerant Leak
As we mentioned before, the refrigerant present in your evaporator coil is a cooling agent that circles through your unit changing between gas and liquid. Your AC is designed NOT to lose refrigerant, so if there is low refrigerant in your system, there is a leak, causing your AC to blow warm air. Call an HVAC technician to repair the leak and refrigerant to your system, as the law requires that only a licensed professional handle refrigerant. - No Maintenance
If you have not been consistently maintaining your HVAC unit, there’s a chance that a clogged air filter or a debris-filled outdoor condenser is causing your AC to malfunction. - Thermostat on heat
Before you check anything else, make your thermostat is on “cool” instead of “heat.” Also, make sure it is on “automatic” instead of “fan.”
Maintain Your HVAC Unit with Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
If you are looking for a reliable and knowledgeable HVAC technician to provide maintenance for your HVAC unit, look no further than Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing! Call us today or schedule an appointment online! We provide AC repair, installation, and maintenance services, as well as heating and plumbing services.
