Understanding the Impact of Air Conditioner Sensor Issues on Home Cooling

Air conditioners are essential to keep homes cool during the summer months. However, even the most impressive and efficient model can have issues that impact its performance. One of those issues is a malfunctioning sensor. This can have a huge impact on the cooling of your home. Understanding how sensors work and what problems to expect when they fail can help you address problems quickly.

What Are Air Conditioner Sensors?

Air conditioner sensors are small but important components. You can find them near the evaporator coil. The main purpose of the sensor is to determine the temperature of the air coming into the coil. From there, the information is sent to the thermostat. Once the data is passed along, the thermostat adjusts the cooling cycles to maintain the temperature you want inside. Having a well-functioning sensor means that your air conditioner will work efficiently to create energy savings and comfort.

Common Sensor Issues

There are a few things that can lead to improper functioning of air conditioner sensors. The most common is simple misalignment. The sensor should be near the evaporator coil but not touch it. If the sensor is in the wrong spot, it might not measure the temperature correctly. This can lead to the system cycling improperly.

Faulty sensors can also be an issue. Over time, the sensors can become damaged or wear out. This leads to bad temperature readings. If you have a faulty sensor, the air conditioner may never turn off. On the other side of things, it might refuse to turn on at all.

Electrical issues are another sign that the sensor may not be working appropriately. Electrical faults or wiring issues can break down the communication between the thermostat and the sensor. This will often create erratic cooling cycles.

Impact on Home Cooling

When there is an issue with an air conditioner sensor, there are a few problems that may occur. These can impact your home’s comfort and cooling efficiency. For instance, a bad sensor might make the air conditioner short cycle, so it turns on and off too frequently. This creates uneven cooling and hot spots in the house. This makes it hard to maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature.

When improper cycling occurs based on the sensor issues in your air conditioner, it can create a higher level of energy consumption. The system can run longer than expected or never reach the set temperature. Either of these things can create a boost in your energy bills.

In addition, frequent cycling creates stress on the components of the air conditioner. This means you may need to deal with early wear and tear. This can cause the need for more frequent repairs and an AC that doesn’t last as long as you might wish.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with expensive energy bills, inconsistent cooling or other signs of sensor issues, it’s time to call the pros. The technicians at Elite Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning can diagnose and repair sensor issues. This ensures your system runs efficiently and your home is comfortable. Reach out to us today for an inspection so you can keep your air conditioner in great shape throughout the summer.