Why is My AC Constantly Running?

We are approaching some of the hottest months of the year in Florida. As temperatures continue to climb—and we reach near-record-breaking heat waves across Tampa Bay—you want to feel cool and comfortable inside your home this summer.

During this time of year, it’s normal for your HVAC system to cycle on and off more frequently as it combats the outdoor heat and humidity. But if your AC unit is constantly running and never turns off, you may have another problem on your hands.

Learn common reasons your AC cycles on and off and what you can do about it. Then, contact us at Air Care for a HVAC system inspection and tune-up—just in time for the hottest weather across Clearwater and the Tampa Bay area yet.

Inadequate Insulation in Florida Homes

Insulation is one of the most important investments you can make towards cooling your Florida home. In the summer, hot and humid air can seep through the walls, floors, or attic into your house below. When this happens, your HVAC system has to work harder to cool the air—usually causing your AC cycle on and off constantly.

To avoid a system that runs non-stop, start by improving your attic insulation. The older your home, the more likely you are to need insulation improvements.

How much insulation do you need? Schedule an in-home AC audit with Air Care, or try Duke Energy’s online Home Energy Check tool for Pinellas County residents. (Learn about the Duke Energy attic insulation upgrade program to see if you’re applicable to receive a rebate per square foot of installed insulation.)

To help you get started, here’s a list of prequalified contractors for attic insulation across the Tampa Bay area—we’ve selected a few top insulation providers below:

©2022 Duke Energy Corporation 221485 5/22

Contact Air Care to request an AC system tune-up or insulation inspection today.

Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils

When was the last time you had your HVAC system serviced? Did you get a system tune-up this spring in preparation for our hot Florida summer? If not, there’s a chance your AC evaporator coils are covered in dust, dirt, or debris—or even frozen.

Think of a dirty evaporator coil as a “clog” to your heating and cooling system. This clog restricts air flow inside your AC unit and makes your system work harder to cool your home. When the coil is frozen, the evaporator doesn’t work properly to cool the warmed air from your supply vents as it passes through the system.

Excess dirt or frozen evaporator coils can cause your HVAC system to cycle on and off constantly. If you are experiencing a hot house or a unit that never shuts off, contact our AC professionals at Air Care to have your coil inspected and prevent future damages to your HVAC system.

Dirty or Clogged Condenser

Just like a clogged evaporator coil on the inside of your system, the outdoor condenser unit can also become blocked and restrict airflow throughout your home.

AC condensers often get dirty when exposed to Florida outdoor elements, such as dirt, debris, leaves, and even animal nests. (If you live near the Clearwater, St. Petersburg or Bellair beaches, your outdoor condenser is also vulnerable to sand and salty air, which can cause rusting or additional damage to your HVAC system.)

Contact Air Care today for a professional cleaning of your outdoor unit and condenser.

Blocked Air Filter

Air filters prevent dirt, dust, and debris from entering your AC unit. When your air filter is too dirty, it can block airflow and cause your system to cycle on and off without stopping.

If you’ve read our Air Care blog posts before, you know how much we stress the importance of checking your air filters at least every 30 days. If the filter still has life, keep an eye on it—and if it’s dirty, change as soon as you can to ensure the AC can function the way it should.

Contact Air Care to schedule an in-home HVAC inspection today.

Leaky Air Ducts

Did you know about 20% of the air in your home is lost due to leaks, holes, or poor connections in your AC ductwork?

Poorly insulated and leaky air ducts create uneven temperatures in your home, causing your HVAC system to run more frequently. This leads to higher utility bills, as well as more dirt, dust, and debris that’s brought into your ductwork through your attic. If you live in an older Florida home, your ductwork joints could be unsealed and worn, too.

If you notice your AC constantly runs, contact Air Care to see if leaky ductwork may be the culprit.

Low Refrigerant

If you do not have enough refrigerant (freon or coolant) in your HVAC system, your evaporator coils will not function properly to cool your home and your system may run more often to make up for it.

Low refrigerant usually points to a leak, and you should never attempt to replace or top off AC refrigerant on your own. That’s because AC equipment manufactured before 2010 usually relies on R22 refrigerant, an ozone-depleting substance (ODS) that was banned as of January 1, 2020, under the U.S. Clean Air Act and Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. You can still continue to operate an HVAC system that runs on R22. However, it will require an HVAC technician to identify the leak and add R22 refrigerant to your system.

Contact Air Care to determine if a refrigerant leak is causing your system to run nonstop.

Faulty Thermostat

Does your thermostat fail to reach its set temperature, causing your AC to run around the clock? If all other signs point to a healthy AC system, there’s a chance your thermostat is the problem.

First, turn off power to the AC unit from the thermostat or your electricity panel/breaker. Next, check that your thermostat batteries are fully powered and connected to the appropriate ports. If your thermostat still does not function properly, contact our team at Air Care for assistance.

Fan or Blower Motor Issues

Your HVAC system may run too often if the motor isn’t producing enough air or the fan is running at lower speed than normal. Sometimes you can adjust the fan speed or give the fan blades and motor a good cleaning; other times, you may have a failing fan or blower motor that needs repair or replacement.

Don’t attempt to repair or replace them on your own—servicing electrical components can be dangerous if not done properly. Contact our trained and licensed AC technicians at Air Care to inspect, offer advice and service your HVAC system.

Incorrectly Sized AC Unit

During the pandemic, there was an uptick in home renovations, additions, and redesigned spaces across the Tampa Bay area.

It’s possible your HVAC unit is no longer adequate to cool your space if you’ve made the following home improvements:

• Changed the layout of your house
• Converted your garage into a room
• Closed in a sunroom or patio
• Added new windows or doors
• Built an addition or second floor onto your home

Oftentimes, major additions and renovations trigger a new AC system installation to adequately cool your space and prevent an AC unit that constantly runs.

Contact Air Care to learn more and/or perform a load calculation based on the size and design of your home updates.

Trust Us to Service Your HVAC System

Did you know many of the AC issues mentioned above can be repaired—or even prevented—with regular HVAC system maintenance? If gone unaddressed for too long, you may need a total AC replacement.

Don’t delay or neglect to maintain your HVAC equipment. Contact Air Care to schedule an appointment with some of the best AC technicians in the Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Tampa Bay area.

“Air Care provides fast, friendly AC repair services. When your air conditioner breaks in the middle of a Largo summer, you want it fixed immediately. Some AC repair companies do not answer their phones and some want to schedule later visits. Air Care wants to help you (when) you call in. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing help.” – David of Largo, Florida

Contact Air Care today to get started.

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APPENDIX:

Duke Energy Attic Insulation Program

Duke Energy Prequalified Contractors for Attic Insulation

Duke Energy Smart $aver Program