Updated at: 14-04-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Do you ever wonder if your air conditioner is doing the right thing when it shuts itself off?

AC is essential during the sweltering summer months. However, it can be a difficult necessity to meet. Whether you know it or not, your air conditioner is programmed to turn on and off at certain times. Or perhaps you’re concerned about the fact that your air conditioner never shuts off. You’ve come to the right site if you’re curious about how long your air conditioner should run in a cycle.

The frequency and duration of your AC cycle are determined by four factors:

  • The effectiveness of the insulation in your house
  • The climate
  • A/C Unit Dimensions
  • As long as your air conditioner is operating properly, you should be fine.

How Long Should My AC Cycle Last?

As the temperature outside rises, so should the amount of time your air conditioner is running inside. In a scorching New England summer, your air conditioner should be running nearly nonstop. Your air conditioner has to work more than usual to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. You should use less air conditioning when the weather is warm but not oppressive. Your air conditioner should operate every 15 minutes or so in hot weather.

Signs to Look Out for on Hot Days

A lot of air conditioning should be running on a hot day. It’s a different story if it’s running all the time. Even if your home isn’t keeping cool, or if it doesn’t cool at all. There is a good chance that your air conditioner is either too tiny or not operating properly. Either a refrigerant leak or a poor airflow could be to blame.

Signs to Look Out for on Mild Days

When the weather isn’t sweltering, your air conditioner should run for less time. On the other hand, if you just let it run for 10 minutes at a time, you run the risk of having a too large air conditioner. Using an air conditioner that is too large for your home can result in worse energy efficiency. The parts will wear out more quickly if the device is turned on and off repeatedly, which implies more maintenance and a shorter lifespan. In addition, a large air conditioner does not dehumidify your home well.

Most of the Time, Aim for A 15 Minute Cycle

On warm days, set your air conditioner to operate for 15 minutes. When the temperature reaches triple digits, your air conditioner should be on all the time. Unless your AC follows this pattern, you may have a problem.

Call Evolved Mechanical now to find out if your air conditioner is the proper size for your home or if it needs a repair. Your search for the ideal cooling system will be facilitated by our licensed HVAC professional.

Consider the following A/C cycling issues:

Short Cycles

Problems may arise when a new cycle begins only minutes after the preceding one has ended. Using your air conditioning system for less than an hour at a time might permanently harm the compressor, which is the system’s heart and soul.

There is a chance that this isn’t a problem with the air conditioner because it is too large for your home.

Make an appointment with a licensed technician to have your system checked out. Run times that are too short can be caused by a variety of issues, including filthy coils, electrical problems, drain blockages, and thermostat faults.

Long Cycles

It’s also possible that extra-long cycles will cause issues. Your heating and cooling system is either too small or the ductwork isn’t properly sealed, which might lead to these symptoms. Your utility expenses will skyrocket as a result of long run cycles!

Dirty filters and low refrigerant (freon or puron) levels in the system can also lead to long cycles.

High outside temperatures (at least 95 degrees Fahrenheit) combined with high humidity and a high heat index may cause air conditioners in many homes to run for longer periods of time because the heat entering the home is greater than the cooling system can remove.

Cycles That Are Just Right

Two or three times an hour, a fully functioning air conditioner should run for 15 to 20 minutes each time.

The run time will increase if the temperature in your home is higher than the thermostat setting, or if the temperature outdoors is higher than the thermostat setting.

Heating and cooling systems that are intended to remove humidity and better manage the temperature of a home will actually run longer than those that do not, despite what you would think.

Importance Of Servicing The Air Conditioner

Keeping an eye on your air conditioner will help it last longer. If you volunteer, you’ll also reap a number of perks. For starters, it will ensure proper operation, which is critical in the summer heat.

The effectiveness of the system will be preserved as a result of this action. As air conditioning systems age, they use more energy to keep them running well.

However, frequent maintenance will allow you to keep it running at peak performance. This means that you’ll save money on your utility costs.

Servicing will also help to avoid more significant problems from arising.

How Often Should You Service My Air Conditioner?

As far as air conditioner maintenance is concerned, how often should I have it done? Most experts agree that you should have your air conditioner serviced once a year at the very least.

Your appliance will be thoroughly inspected by the technician, who will look for any problems. The ducts and filters will be thoroughly cleaned, and the efficiency of the system will be checked.

To make it easier to remember, it would be best to plan the service on the same day each year. If you want to be certain, you may even set a notification on your phone as a reminder.

You should have your air conditioner serviced about a month or two before it starts to get hot where you live. This is to make sure that when you need it most, your air conditioner will work effectively.

6 Air Conditioner Maintenance Services

The services included in regular air conditioner maintenance and how you will benefit from them are explained in this section.

#1. Thermostat calibration

It’s critical that the thermostat is working as it should. Your home will not be properly cooled if it is not installed correctly.

An accurate thermostat requires testing and calibrating by the expert. In addition, he will make sure that it is positioned away from any heat sources.

That’s because the thermostat won’t be able to accurately monitor your home’s temperature if it’s placed near a heat source, like a light bulb.

#2. Inspecting ductwork

An air conditioner’s ductwork serves as both a heating and cooling conduit. This is how the chilly air gets into your house.

As a result, if the ductwork in your home is leaking or broken, you may not be able to enjoy the cool air. It’s perfect for checking the air ducts once a year as part of your air conditioner’s annual checkup.

#3. Electrical connection check

When it comes to electrical wiring, ac experts have the training and experience to guarantee that everything is connected correctly.

They also make certain that no electrical wiring poses a risk of igniting a fire. The electrical connections must be tightened and properly insulated, as must all of the above.

#4. Lubricating moving parts

You may end up with lasting damage to your air conditioner’s moving parts if you don’t lubricate them properly.

These parts should be lubricated by a professional who knows how to grease an ac without using too much oil.

#5. Inspect coils

A filthy or clogged condenser coil will cause the ac unit to malfunction. As a result, the ac unit will malfunction as a result of excessive stress. You’ll also see an increase in your monthly electric bill as a result.

The system will work more smoothly if it has been cleaned by an HVAC technician. Having the evaporator coil inspected and cleaned is a good idea as well.

The heat in the air is absorbed by this particular coil, which then circulates cool air throughout your home. Nevertheless, if the evaporator coil is clogged, it will require a lot more effort to cool the air. The ac system will have to work harder as a result of this.

The condensate drain line should be cleaned out on a regular basis. The evaporator coil collects moisture, which is removed by this component.

The evaporator coil converts the humidity in the system into water so that it can be removed. As a result, mold, moisture, and leaks might occur if the condensate line becomes clogged. The specialist can assist in making certain that there aren’t any leaks or cracks in the system.

If there are any leaks or cracks, they will fix them to prevent future harm.

It’s A Wrap!

You’ve just learned the answer to the age-old question: How often should I have my AC serviced?

The more often you get the AC examined, the less money you’ll spend on power because it’ll run more efficiently.