• AC ran more than usual this past summer

    Nov.28.2011

    I have a one bedroom condo on the second floor. I replaced my AC unit and furnace 3 years ago. I have it serviced twice a year, but this summer it seemed to be running more than usual even in milder weather. I typically have my thermostat set at 72 degrees. The unit cycles on and off normally at night and in the morning, but during the afternoon in the heat of the day it ran continuously (from about 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.) even when it is only 80 degrees outside. It did maintain the temperature inside, but it seemed like it should be cycling on and off during the day when the outside temperatures were not as extreme.

    Wayne, Jeffersonville, IN

    A unit that runs continuously during the peak time of the day is not always a bad thing. Your air conditioner should be designed with the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time your unit will cycle on and off normally, but in the peak time of the year you system will come on and continue to run to maintain the temperature. This is okay. It’s like highway miles on a car; the stop and go of city traffic is actually worse on your car than highway miles…so as long as it is maintained temperature I wouldn’t be concerned. When you are not in the peak time of the year and it is runs all the time, then I would recommend a service specialist visit your home and ensure everything is working properly. Now is an excellent time to consider a home service plan. At the beginning of heating season in the fall and the beginning of cooling season in the spring, this type of plan provides a thorough cleaning and check up for your system to help prevent those costly emergency service calls later in the season. I suggest you contact a professional HVAC technician, like ARS/Rescue Rooter, for additional information about regular tune-ups and home service plans.

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