Is it Normal for My Air Conditioner to Run All Day?

energy efficiency | existing home insulation

By: Amanda Ringler on April 14th, 2021

Is your air conditioner running? Then you better catch it!

Just kidding, but in all seriousness, an air conditioner that runs all the time is likely to cost you a lot of money. We’re heading into those hot summer months, so of course, your air conditioner is going to run but is it keeping your home comfortable. That is the big question.

If you are noticing your air conditioner is constantly running, it isn’t keeping your house as cool as it should, and your monthly energy bills are through the roof, then you have a serious problem on your hands.

Long story short, it’s not normal for your air conditioner to run all day. Let’s take a look at what could be causing the problem and how you can keep your home cool this summer.

RetroFoam of Michigan has helped homeowners keep their homes more comfortable and energy-efficient since 2002. We have experience installing foam insulation that will help keep homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter, giving AC units and furnaces a much-needed break across the lower peninsula.

We are on a mission to help homeowners solve the comfort issues in their homes. In this article, we will explain why your AC unit is running all the time and what you can do to stop it.

Why Is My AC Unit Always Running?

From an air conditioning unit that is too small to restricted airflow, here are four things that could be making your AC work overtime.

Your AC Unit is too Small

You hear it running and feel that sweet, cool air coming from the vent, but the rest of your house is an oven.

Your AC unit needs to be the right size, meaning if you have a larger home, the unit must be big enough to cool that space. If it’s too small, the unit will constantly run in an attempt to maintain or even reach the cooler temperature you have set.

The constant running of your AC unit will reduce pressure in the evaporator, or cooling coil until it freezes over, according to Cool Today. This is why in some cases, this constant running can be dangerous. The freezing of the coil can cause liquid refrigerant to flood back into the unit’s compressor and damage it.

You’re Not Maintaining Your AC Unit Regularly

It would be best if you were changing out your filters on your air conditioner at least every three months, and even more frequently depending on how often it is running.

If you don’t do this, it could end up costing you even more money as it will lead to poor airflow or freezing up of the evaporator coil. A dirty filter could add five to 15 percent to your monthly energy bill and will reduce the lifespan of your unit, according to Time.

The cost to replace the filter is minimal compared to the price of replacing the coil or the entire unit.

The Airflow Could Be Restricted

There are several reasons why the airflow from your unit is restricted or reduced.

The AC unit for your home could be running all the time because something is keeping it from supplying the cool air you want. There could be something wrong with the blower, or something is blocking it. Here are some signs this could be the problem from Cool Today:

The air from your vents is cool, but the actual airflow is weak.
The air filter is dirty.
The ducts in your home could be closed or blocked.
The ductwork in your home is damaged or improperly sized.
The evaporator coil in your unit could be frozen.
The motor in your unit could be bad.

Inadequate Insulation in Your Home

Who would have thought not having enough insulation in your home would make a difference with your air conditioner?

It can and does because if that hot air from outside is making its way into your home, your AC unit could burn itself out just trying to keep up.

Traditional insulation materials like cellulose and fiberglass still allow for air movement into and out of your home. That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy recommends creating an air seal in your existing home.

Foam insulation will create an air seal in your home that will keep it comfortable year-round. An added bonus is that the foam insulation will help maintain a constant temperature in your home, reducing those monthly energy bills.

Suppose you have noticed any of the issues here that could be causing your AC unit to run constantly. In that case, it is best to call out the professionals if the problem is out of the scope of what you can handle on your own.

Keeping Your Home Cool

There are techniques you can use to give your air conditioner a break.

You can use ceiling fans to circulate air. Just make sure the fan isn’t set to the winter settings. You can also make sure you aren’t setting your thermostat too low and program it when you leave the house and go to bed.

If you think your insulation is lacking in keeping that hot air outside, foam insulation throughout your house can make a big difference.

There are more than a dozen other signs your home may need updated insulation, so check out our 18 Signs and Symptoms checklist to see how many fit your home.

5 Existing Home Insulation Problems That Show Up in the Summer

How to Keep Your House Cool in the Summer

8 Things to Do When Your House is Too Hot or Too Cold

About Amanda Ringler

Amanda previously has worked as a breaking news and crime reporter, TV news producer, and editor in Flint and Detroit. Throughout her career as a journalist, she has won several awards from The Society of Professional Journalists - Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. As part of the RetroFoam of Michigan family, Amanda uses her experience as a journalist to write content that will help educate homeowners on the benefits of foam insulation. When Amanda isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and rescued huskies. She also loves knitting, making art, cooking, and hosting dinner and a movie night for friends and family.