Air Conditioner Fan Problems: When You Need Repairs

A central air conditioning system is a great way to keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the heat of the summer. However, even the best central air systems are vulnerable to failures, damage, and the need for repairs. The hardest part for many homeowners is knowing when the problem you're having is related to a problem that needs repairs or a problem that needs a different approach. For example, if your air conditioner's fan is running constantly, there are some things that you should know.

Causes That Don't Require Repair

Before you call an air conditioning repair technician about your unit's fan running constantly, you should eliminate causes that don't require repairs. For example, one of the most common reasons for an air conditioner fan to run consistently is because the cooling system's fan setting is set to "on" instead of the "auto" setting. Make sure that your air conditioner system's fan is set to the auto setting so that it only comes on when needed.

Also, when you are dealing with extreme temperatures outside, your air conditioner can run excessively because it is struggling to reach the thermostat's programmed temperature. If your air conditioner just can't keep up with a severe heatwave, the fan should return to proper operation when the weather cools down a little bit.

Causes That Require Repair

Sometimes, the fan setting is set to automatic and the weather isn't severely hot, yet the fan is still running all the time. In those cases, you will definitely need to have your air conditioning system assessed by a repair technician.

One of the things that your AC repair technician will check is the system's thermostat. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, it may not turn off the air conditioning fan when the temperature is reached because it either incorrectly reads the temperature or isn't able to send the proper signals to the unit. Replacing the thermostat can resolve this and restore proper fan operation.

Additionally, he or she will need to check the relay switch to be sure that it is functional. If the relay switch burns out, the system won't function correctly and the fan may run constantly. Replacing the relay switch can fix this problem. The same could happen if there is an electrical short that must be repaired.

If you aren't sure of the source of your air conditioning fan's problem, reaching out to an air conditioning repair technician can help to ensure its proper operation. Your technician can even spot signs of impending damage before those issues become failures or malfunctions.

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