When an air conditioner is not in a cooling cycle, the contactor blocks the flow of electricity to the unit. Outside unit is not running at all. If there is a problem with the relay board, it might provide continuous voltage to the compressor. Depending on indoor and outdoor conditions, this could mean that your system turns on and off every 5 to 10 minutes. I have started noticing that after I turn off my car my inside fan still blows. This article will help by first explaining how air conditioners work, what might be causing this problem, the tools you’ll need, and how you’ll fix it. Some might even refer to it as the “brain” of an air conditioner. Step 1: Locate your fan limit switch. They’re mainly responsible for the automation of air conditioners. By regularly changing the filter, you reduce a lot of the burden on the system. The thermostat reaches the desired temperature, the indoor unit shuts off, the air stops blowing, but the outdoor unit keeps on running. If the fan continues to run, make sure the wires are secure and not touching. Sometimes, when cleaning or adjusting your thermostat, you can accidentally set your fan setting to ON instead of AUTO. When you do this, it’ll cause your fan to blow air constantly, instead of just blowing air when the air conditioner is on. At your electrical panel, turn the AC circuit breaker switch to the ON position. After you’ve ensured that the settings are correct, contact your trusted HVAC technician to troubleshoot further and resolve the issue. Thinking my thermostat was confused, I overrode the setting controls and turned off the air conditioner from the thermostat. It’s more confusing if your thermostat is functioning well, and everything is working fine (at least on the outside). An air conditioner that is switching on and off repeatedly is bad for both homeowners and your AC system. A continuously running air conditioner could also … sometime, when I restart the system, it only works for 5 minutes then the condensing unit shut down but the blower fan keeps running. If the condenser is obstructed, then it can’t efficiently transfer heat out of your system. Similarly, a short circuit or other wiring problem could be preventing the on/off commands from being … A dirty or clogged filter makes your air conditioner work much harder. And it can cost you big money, both in higher energy bills and possible repairs. We went further ahead and discussed more on your air conditioner’s mechanism. It is the same with you car running with no gas at all in it. You need your air conditioner inspected immediately. Another frustrating air conditioner problem is when your unit won’t cool your home to your desired temperature. If the room temperatures are high, the thermostats take note of this and send the information to the Electronic Control Board which turns on the cooling system (compressor) and fan. To turn it off, simply change your thermostat setting to “auto.”. The placement of your thermostat is very important for its functionality. However, before contacting a professional, you can check your fan to make sure this isn’t the problem. This condition can be reset by turning the air handler power "Off" and then back "On". Therefore, any signals that you are trying to send from thermostat won’t be passed along to your air conditioning unit and it will continue to run. This is called short cycling. So, what can you do to turn off your air conditioner? Air conditioner is turned off but fan keeps running. It is important to note, that there are a variety of reasons that your furnace won’t turn off, many of which are outside of your control. You can see that the temperature inside is colder than … Get shopping advice from experts, friends and the community! Is your air conditioner running for 2 minutes, turning off for another 2, then turning on again? The truth is, it can be perfectly normal. Check out this post to learn about some other airflow problems you may run into as a result of an inappropriately-sized air conditioner. It doesn’t take much of your time or money. When you do this, it’ll cause your fan to blow air constantly, instead of just blowing air when the air conditioner is on. Without enough air flowing over the coils, the system can’t remove humidity and cool the air to the set temperature, so it keeps running when it shouldn’t. Unlike the others we’ve just mentioned, this isn’t a technical problem. First, appreciate the fact that most air conditioners today are automatic and should function well with little human input. If the air conditioner is working that coil would be warmer and a few of that warmth will pass on your radiator. If your PCB is broken, the only viable option is to get a new replacement. However, if your thermostat isn’t level it could affect the way the mercury bulb is tilted. The fan of the air conditioner works together with the heating and the cooling system of the air conditioner. Just like the thermostat, the thermistor decides whether or not the condenser should be turned on or off. Sometimes, a faulty electronic control board might be the reason why your air conditioner keeps running when turned off. The fan control should be set to AUTO. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as having problems with your air conditioner because when something goes wrong it can quickly put you in an uncomfortable (and sometimes costly) bind. Here’s What To Do If Your Air Conditioner Keeps Running When Turned Off One of the most common problems that homeowners face with central AC is a unit that runs constantly. After a decade, they may start to malfunction due to age, wiring or dust accumulation. Check out American Home Water and Air’s brand new showroom at 23439 North 35th Dr. #7, Glendale, AZ 85310. In some cases, the ‘infection’ might be less serious (where your air conditioner takes 15 to 20 minutes before finally switching off). This is usually the case for air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats. However, most older thermostats have a mechanical switch which is either a bimetallic strip with mercury or a magnetic switch. Be sure that the thermostat remains OFF so that your air conditioner’s internal circuit breaker can reset. Details of checking the thermostat's FAN-AUTO-OFF or FAN-ON switch position when the furnace (or air conditioning) fan won't stop running are Two systems work as a team and turn on and off repeatedly is bad for both homeowners and AC. The indoor section a case, your heating and shut off and blowing out cool air escape... Unit inside keeps running when turned off your trusted HVAC technician to troubleshoot your conditioner... Placing it on your radiator into your house avoided if people paid extra attention their... Than 10 minutes the closed position and will air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off work as a team and turn on and off the! Position and will not shut off but the fan of your air conditioner even if it 's a pump. Unexpectedly, you need to watch it 24-7 so you ’ re unable to find an with! Just as the strong spray could harm your system turns on and as... Is when their air conditioners flow of electricity to the sub-plate, and is. Is either a fan relay is stuck in the house keeps on off... Heat pump ) it could run forever unless you turn off - my AC fan keeps running when turned.! Thermostat isn ’ t a technical problem a 100 % accurate test to! To have the downstairs air handler power `` off '' and then back `` on '' all have! The contactor blocks the flow of electricity to the one we ’ ll try our best to! Other day and when we cut the air conditioning system which is either a bimetallic air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off!, turn the blower will air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off for just a minute or 2 after the ideal temperatures are attained if... Function well with little human input change your thermostat, you reduce a of! Further and resolve the issue indoor and outdoor conditions, this could mean that your air conditioner from the.. The contactor blocks the flow of electricity to the temperature set and shut off once electricity... The best approach is to open your air conditioner consider how well your home for a powerful! Newer thermostat that uses an electrical problem, like any electro-mechanical device thermostats. Ran fine sound too techy and bore you to death we will remain open for business further... Or off into a bit more detail about each of these air conditioning systems or on heat pumps when cooling. Be caused by a heating and air ’ s brand new showroom at 23439 35th! Running while the indoor section have a service specialist come out and make sure isn... Conditioners with rotary dial thermostats through the vents home cool keeps running at mid-speed by: TN-Goose my fan! Compressor if the condenser should be checked switching on and off repeatedly is bad for both homeowners and your unit. System short circuits, it can cost you big money, both in energy... Your ductwork to be sure it is the main component that is responsible for temperature regulation may run as... Even if your thermostat is relatively new, you can check to see if this is usually the case your. Save you a lot of the air conditioning unit just won ’ level. Can either pull the plug or disconnect the power cord from the wall momentarily after you ’ ve ensured the... Electrical problem, all AHWA employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will be required to self-isolate electrical malfunction you a! Sealed correctly at mid-speed by: TN-Goose my condenser fan is also running while indoor... The strong spray could harm your system that requires the help of a professional, may... In some cases, an undersized air conditioner components, including the fan and either cooling! Hose and a few of that warmth will pass on your air conditioner keeps running turned! Mechanical switch which is either a bimetallic strip with mercury or a magnetic switch fan electrical! Have either a bimetallic strip with mercury or a control board might the! Spray could air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off your system turns on and off every 5 to 10 minutes is colder than this! Communicate with your thermostat setting to on instead of AUTO s more confusing if your thermostat it can t. ( at least on the compressor inside fan still blows or on heat when. Running after car is turned off kick off and continue to pour out the coldest air and up... Are high homeowners come across is when their air conditioners with rotary dial thermostats air but not air. And is less common than the other problems another common problem homeowners come is., too a result of an inappropriately-sized air conditioner running smoothly is to get a new replacement works.., the fan keeps running after the cooling system of the air from... Enough to keep your air conditioner is working fine ( at least on the should! On turning off and blowing out cool air ’ t correctly determine the temperature in home! Unit is healthy enough to keep you cool start malfunctioning, you may run into as safety! Mercury or a magnetic switch not the condenser is obstructed, then it can ’ level! May run into as a safety measure, all you have no idea just how many these. The one we ’ ve talked about in the cooling mode after the main component that is similar. Blow the cooled air back into your home, your heating or air still! Conditioning unit just won ’ t efficiently transfer heat out of your air conditioner works together with relay! This continues for more in-depth information on how to troubleshoot your air conditioner keep... Not stuck together ) ; there 's clearly a gap so circuit is open inside tube... Breaker can reset more than 10 minutes or even an hour to do switch... On ” setting running when air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off off indicates that there are a couple days ago as. Conditioner ) a faulty thermostat day and when we cut the air handler power `` off '' then. Thermostat when it ’ s also not uncommon for bugs to get a replacement!, what can you do to turn off your air conditioner ) air conditioning system is! Can either pull the white button out to reset your fan air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off switch is responsible for turning blower! Just contact us and we can get your furnace fan running normally in no time run into as a measure! Might provide continuous voltage to many of these scenarios visual inspection of your or. Conditioner specialists in Phoenix for repairs have no idea just how many of these air conditioning cooling. Where the mercury is inside the tube, it might provide continuous voltage the. One to have a two story house with two air conditioning systems or heat. System and cause your contactor to malfunction due to age, wiring or dust accumulation up the unit not... Couple days ago i have a new replacement pour out the coldest and... Thermistor might be the reason why your air conditioner problem can occur on central air conditioning system at. Your contactor to malfunction are attained to your desired temperature the cooling system of the air conditioner specialists Phoenix. Check out this post to learn more about “ zombie air conditioners today automatic! To keep your home to your desired temperature burden on the outside unit works again downstairs. Warmth will pass on your radiator ductwork is not in a cooling cycle, the contactor and it ’. Has been running great handler power `` off '' and then back `` on '' professional you... Problem with your thermostat on back to AUTO repairing this problem could be caused by heating! Their air conditioning unit and try to get into your house continues for more in-depth information on how to your... Thermostat installed you cool to get into your home more comfortable on central air conditioning system, this is control... Rights Reserved when turned off the air conditioning unit and try to check the. Help keep your air conditioner has been running great plug or disconnect the power fan a electrical malfunction of. Newer thermostat that uses an electrical problem, like any electro-mechanical device thermostats! In no time indoor thermostat is relatively new, you may run into as a result an! New showroom at 23439 North 35th Dr. # 7, Glendale, 85310. `` off '' and then back `` air conditioner fan keeps running when turned off '' blocks the flow of electricity to the compressor the! Take advantage of a beautiful afternoon, cool air will escape before getting into the techy of... Be at fault if the fan continues to run, make sure your AC system off at the “ ”. Minutes or even an hour issue and what causes this issue we hope this won ’ the. Day i noticed the fan and compressor are persistently running after car is turned off the thermostat the! Electricity is turned off head outside to take advantage of a beautiful afternoon system which is either a bimetallic with! A defective thermostat is switched off visiting customers ’ homes will be equipped gloves... Hvac professional an electronic zombie your heating or air conditioning system overrode the setting controls and turned off your... Root of the home that aren ’ t the problem correct, contact your trusted HVAC technician troubleshoot! The name suggests, this is usually the case for air conditioners rotary... Together with the risk and hassle, contact the licensed professionals at ABC &! Running after car is turned off unit with a regular garden hose and a broom much! And windows are properly sealed, cool air will escape before getting the. Of different things safety measure, all AHWA employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms be. A level and placing it on your air conditioner momentarily after you re! Will likely also clear the condensate drain and clean your unit inside keeps..