In the midst of a hot summer, the last thing you need is an air conditioning unit that won’t turn off. Besides making your home very uncomfortable, this can cause you to be hit by a larger-than-normal electric bill. Here are three things to check before you call in the professionals.
Check the Thermostat
The very first thing you should do is check your thermostat, as this is the issue for a lot of heating and cooling problems. The thermostat controls the temperature of your home. When the temperature inside rises to a level that’s too hot for you, it triggers the AC to turn on and cool down the house. If the thermostat is set too low, your air conditioner may run continuously. Check to see if your thermostat is working by increasing it to above room temperature. This should signal the AC unit to turn off. If this doesn’t work, the thermostat isn’t the culprit.
Check the Condenser Coils
A running air conditioning unit creates heat, and the condenser coils disperse this heat to get rid of it efficiently. If the coils have become too dirty, the AC has to work harder to cool down. This can lead to the unit running continuously. Check your coils for dirt and debris. If they are dirty, call a professional to have them cleaned. While it may seem like a DIY project, because coils play such a crucial role in the cooling process, we recommend having a trained professional clean them to ensure the long-term health of your air conditioner.
Check the Fan Switch
Near the blower, or sometimes directly on it, you’ll find a switch called the “fan limit switch.” This allows the fan to run independently of the thermostat. While this is useful in some situations, you don’t want the fan to be running all the time. Switch your setting from manual to auto to ensure that the fan doesn’t run until the thermostat tells it to.
If your air conditioning is still running after trying these tips, it’s time to call in the professionals. The experienced technicians at Burkholder's Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Emmaus, PA, will look over your unit and get it back into working shape in no time. Call us today to get started. Our technicians can also assist with heating repairs, installation, and maintenance, indoor air quality, and more.
