Air Conditioning - Air Conditioning does not shut off

My air conditioning has been running constantly. I have a Honeywell digital thermostat that is set for 77 degrees. As the day goes progresses the reading on the thermostat goes up and never goes down. So, obviously, my air conditioning never shuts off. When I change the setting on the thermostat to a temperature one degree above what it already reads, the unit turns off and turns right back one after only a few minutes. It will never read that cooler temperature again. All the while my air conditioning is running non stop. Right now (at 1AM) the temperature outside is cooler, by five degrees, than it is inside. What is the possible reason for my unit will not cool a place down?

Ryan Benedict


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Doug Aleshire
Super Moderator 2

First check to see if both units are blowing air inside the house and outside the house.
Second check the temperature of the connecting copper lines at the outsid unit the big one should be cold and the little one should be body temperature.
Then post back

I am having this same problem I just bought this house and I am worried that I will burn up my blower and im waisting a ton of electricity trying to keep the house cool. Any other advice?

Like Scott asked....Is the outdoor unit running??

how's the air fitler?

Blower cage clean?

On the hottest day a right sized system will run steady, and keep temp in the house.

it's better of the system ran steady on a really hot day then cycle on and off..

Way I say it, what is better on a car, good highway mileage, or town driving w/ lots of stop and go??

Yes the blower the on the furnace is blowing, and yes the compressor outside is also running. They both stay continuously running untill thermostate is turned off. And yes the filter was just replaced this spring. Yes a consistant run all day would be nice if it actully kept the house at a temperture that I have it set at. But it cannot seem to get the house cooler then the upper 70'sto 80's. At night its cooler outside then inside. So to break it down the Air Conditioner cannot cool the house to the specified temp, and it does not shut off becouse the thermostat has not reached the desired temp. There is some minor dirt on the compresor casing such as weed pollin and such which I plan to clean better when I get home today and I also plan to check the copper lines. I also noticed that the same copper lines that run into the furnace someplace have some insulation on them and drip I would assume its just pipe sweating and nothing more, but this is a small area near the furnace... Any suggestions?

H2O,

Has this system always been doing this, or just started?

What do you have up in the attic for insulation and venting on the roof?

We just bought this house this February and just turned the AC unit on this summer and its always done this since we started to use it. The previouse owner insulated the house very well, So if your asking if the house is well insulated it is and it does have attic vents as well.

if you are the new home owner, and it may be a good ideal to get a Pro out to check your system over.

Either the system is undersized, or low on charge, or needs a good clenaing outside.

Any idea, how much a charge or cleaning would cost? I called around and the average house call just to have it looked at costs about $70.00.

I am sure they have a package price anywhre from $100 to $190..

OK i got home form work last night, checked my compresser outside, I found that one of the lines comming from the compressor to the house was completley white and ice covered, O turned off the compressor and let it thaw. I then washed the coils and area around the compressor and waited about 4 hours before turning the air back on, I received the same results. to make a comment on a previous post, I did feel the two lines coming into the house and one was warm and the other had ice on it. If my system does have a leak how can I tell. and what are some symptoms?

This can be caused by an insufficient amount of freon in the system.

the ice is a sign of low charge, or poor air flow inside..

Make sure the tech checks for freon leaks there. Dont run the unit any more till its looked at. Can run inside fan.

ED ;)