On those sweltering summer days where the heat seems to drain you the second you step outside, it can feel like your AC never takes a break. If you’ve lived through a heatwave recently, you may have wondered, “Is it OK for my AC to run this much?” or maybe you’ve worried that your AC will get overwhelmed and cut out, leaving you with no escape from the heat. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Understanding how long an AC unit should run and when it might need servicing is important to keep your home cool without inflating your energy bill or damaging your system.
How Long Is It Normal for an AC Unit to Run?
In moderate weather, most air conditioners run in cycles of around 20 minutes when your thermostat notes that the temperature in your home has risen. During that time, the system blows cool air around your home to lower the overall temperature, before shutting off when the thermostat detects the temperature has returned to what it’s set to.
However, in extremely hot or humid weather, it’s absolutely normal for your AC to run for longer, even continuously, especially if it’s working to maintain a significantly lower indoor temperature. That being said, as long as your AC is effectively keeping your home cool without showing signs of stress, long run times aren’t necessarily an issue.
What Affects Your AC’s Run Time
The overall time your AC spends running during each cycle depends on a few factors. These factors include:
- Outdoor Temperature
The hotter it is outside, the harder your AC system will have to work to maintain the cool temperature indoors. For example, when the outside temperature reaches 95°F and above, it’s normal for an AC unit to run for hours at a time, working to keep things cool.
- Thermostat Setting
If you’re setting your thermostat to keep your home very cool on particularly hot days, your system will run continuously and will likely still struggle to keep the desired temperature. For example, setting your thermostat to 68°F on a 100°F day is going to be tough. Instead, try raising your settings to take the strain off your AC.
- Insulation In Your Home
Your home’s insulation doesn’t just work to keep the hot air in when the weather gets cold; it also keeps the cool air in when summer hits. If your home has poor insulation, it means that the cooled air is quickly escaping, forcing your AC to keep working.
- The Size of Your Unit
An AC unit that is undersized for the space it’s cooling will very likely run continuously, and will probably still fail to effectively cool the area. On the flip side, an oversized unit for the space can cool too quickly and shut off early, before properly dehumidifying the air.
- Equipment Health
Clogged filters, low refrigerant, dirty coils, and worn-out components will make your AC run for longer as it has to work harder to achieve the same results. This often comes with a much higher energy usage, driving up your energy bill.
So, Is It Bad for AC to Run Continuously?
Not always! In extreme conditions when the weather is particularly hot, a well-maintained AC unit running continuously can still run efficiently. Modern systems like variable speed units are designed to run for extended periods of time at a lower power, and this is actually more energy efficient than traditional models.
That said, if your AC is running nonstop while also struggling to keep your home cool, or if you’ve noticed your energy bill inexplicably rising, it could be a sign your AC needs a tune-up.
Overall, while there are exceptions, your AC unit typically shouldn’t be running continuously under normal weather conditions. If you notice this happening, or that your AC system is beginning to struggle to keep your home cool, it may need servicing or repairing. It’s not always easy to tell when this is necessary, but TemperaturePro is here to help. Give us a call at 269-525-2665, and we’ll be happy to answer any questions and schedule your appointment.
