Why is My HVAC System Running All Day?
During hot, summer months and cold, winter months it’s fairly typical for your HVAC system to run frequently (Note: frequently, not continually). The question is – is your home staying comfortable.
Indications of a serious problem would be a system that continually runs, your home isn’t as cool/warm as it should be, and your energy bills are quite high. Often times, insulation can mitigate these problems, and for a less expensive price tag than a new HVAC system.
In a nutshell, if your home is experiencing these symptoms, keep reading as we explain what could be causing these problems, and how you can keep your home more comfortable year round.
We, at Bolivar Insulation, have been helping homeowners improve the energy efficiencies of their homes since 1948. We have the experience and product offering to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter allowing your homes HVAC system to take a much-needed rest.
Is it Normal for My Air Conditioner or Furnace to Run All Day?
With several possibilities as to why you’re experiencing this issue, from insufficient insulation levels in your home to restricted airflow from the HVAC system, here are a few of the things that could be overworking your HVAC system.
Insufficient Insulation in your home
Yes, not having enough insulation in your home does cause stress on your HVAC system. Think of it this way – if your home is under insulated, it’s losing the conditioned air inside your home. The higher rate at which you lose conditioned air means your HVAC system has to work that much harder to keep up and replace the lost conditioned air.
Traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose still allow for air movement into and out of your home which is why the US Department of Energy encourages creating an air seal in your home.
Spray foam insulation will create an air seal preventing the loss of conditioned air which helps to keep your home comfortable year-round. Ultimately this air seal will help play an important role in reducing your monthly energy bills, and lower the stress placed on your HVAC system to circulate conditioned air throughout your home.
Restricted Airflow from the HVAC System
With several reasons that could cause a restriction in airflow from your HVAC system, tracing the source of the issue isn’t always an easy task. Below are a few of the more common signs and symptoms we have gathered that might indicate restricted air flow from the HVAC system.
Airflow at vents is conditioned, but weak
Dirty air filters
Closed/Blocked vents in your home
The ductwork is damaged, improperly sized, even disconnected
The HVAC unit may be experiencing issues
Your HVAC Unit is too Small
You’ve got the conditioned air you want, but it doesn’t reach the whole house. Making sure your HVAC system is sized according to the space it is trying to condition should be a no brainer. If the unit is too small, it will continuously run in attempt to maintain or even reach to set temperature in your home.
Continual running of your HVAC system will reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system which can be a costly repair. If this is an issue for you, you can mitigate this problem with the addition of insulation in your home. Preferably, you would air seal your home, to maximize efficiencies.
Homes that have been spray foam insulated actually have the ability to use a smaller HVAC system. This is possible because spray foam insulation seals the home.
You’re Not Maintaining Your HVAC System Regularly
Typically, air filters should be changed every 3 months depending on how often the unit runs. Failure to do so could end up costing you in HVAC repair costs as the unit becomes more damaged.
Give Your HVAC a Break
There are things you can do to give your HVAC system a break. You can use ceiling fans to help move the air around the home. Make sure your fan is set to the right setting for the time of year you’re in. You can also make sure you aren’t setting your thermostat too low or high, and set a program for when you leave the house or go to bed.
If you believe your insulation is the culprit or that your home is under insulated please don’t hesitate to give us a call for a free, no obligation estimate.
