What Causes My Air Conditioner to Remain On?

If you’re like most people, you probably expect your air conditioner to turn off when you want it to. Unfortunately, sometimes air conditioners have a mind of their own and refuse to cooperate. If your AC won’t turn off, don’t panic! There are a few possible explanations and solutions.

Is your air conditioner on the right setting?

If you have your air conditioner set to “on” rather than “auto,” it will run continuously, regardless of whether your home is cool enough. The settings are typically located on the thermostat itself or on a nearby wall panel. In some cases, the settings may be hidden behind a protective door.

To change the setting, locate the switch or dial that controls the mode and set it to “auto.” If you have trouble finding the right switch or dial, consult your air conditioner’s owner’s manual. Once you switch the setting to “auto,” your air conditioner will only run when it is needed to maintain the set temperature.

Is your air conditioner the right size for your home?

A common reason why your air conditioner won’t turn off is because it’s the wrong size for your home. If your air conditioner is too small, it will run constantly trying to cool your home and never reach the thermostat’s set point. On the other hand, if your air conditioner is too large, it will cool your home too quickly and shut off before it has a chance to remove all the humidity, leaving your home feeling clammy.

To avoid this problem, make sure you get a professional to help you select the right sized air conditioner for your home.

Is your air conditioner getting enough air flow?

One of the most common reasons an air conditioner won’t turn off is because it isn’t getting enough air flow. The air conditioner needs a steady flow of air to function properly, so if the flow is interrupted, it can cause the unit to shut down.

There are a few things that can cause an interruption in air flow:
– Dirty filters: If the filters are dirty, they can restrict air flow and cause the unit to shut down.

– Closed vents: Make sure all the vents in your home are open. If even one vent is closed, it can disrupt air flow and cause the unit to shut down.

– Debris around the unit: If there is debris around the unit, it can block air from getting into the unit and cause it to shut down.

Is your air conditioner’s evaporator coil clean?

One of the most common reasons an air conditioner won’t turn off is because the evaporator coil is dirty. If the coil is dirty, it won’t be able to absorb heat from your home, causing your air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

You can clean the evaporator coil yourself with a brush and some cleaning solutions, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. If you do it yourself, be sure to turn off your air conditioner and unplug it before you start cleaning.

Is your air conditioner’s condenser coil clean?

If your air conditioner won’t turn off, one possible reason is that the condenser coil is dirty. The condenser coil is the large coil on the outside of your air conditioner that releases heat into the air. If this coil gets covered in dirt or dust, it will not be able to release heat as efficiently, causing your air conditioner to run for longer periods of time without turning off. Luckily, cleaning the condenser coil is a fairly simple process that you can do yourself.

Is your air conditioner’s air filter clean?

One of the most common reasons an air conditioner won’t turn off is because the air filter is dirty. A dirty air filter restricts airflow, which can cause all sorts of problems for your AC unit. In fact, a restricted airflow is one of the most common causes of an AC unit breaking down.

If your AC unit’s air filter is dirty, the first thing you should do is clean or replace it. Depending on the type of air filter you have, you might be able to clean it and reuse it. However, most air filters are not reusable and need to be replaced every 1-3 months.

If you’ve replaced or cleaned your air conditioner’s air filter and it still won’t turn off, there could be another problem causing restricted airflow. It could be a clogged drain line or a failing blower motor. These are both serious problems that should be diagnosed and repaired by a trained HVAC technician.

Is your air conditioner’s blower motor working?

If your air conditioner’s blower motor is not working, the most likely cause is a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. The first thing you should do is check to see if the fuse has blown or if the circuit breaker has tripped. If either of these things has happened, you will need to replace the fuse or reset the circuit breaker.

Another possibility is that the blower motor itself has gone bad. If this is the case, you will need to have the motor replaced by a qualified technician.

Is your air conditioner’s thermostat working?

The most likely reason why your air conditioner won’t turn off is because the thermostat is set to “cool” but the room temperature is already below the temperature you set. Check to see if the fan switch is on “auto” rather than “on.” If the problem persists, you may need to replace the thermostat.