Top 5 Things To Know About Your AC Running All Summer

When the first stretch of triple-digit days hits the Sacramento Valley, many homeowners notice the same thing: the air conditioner seems to run almost nonstop from late morning into the evening. The house may feel comfortable enough, but the outdoor unit keeps humming along hour after hour. Is that normal, or is your system struggling and on the verge of a breakdown?

At Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning, our technicians hear this concern every summer in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and across Northern California. A properly designed and maintained system will often run for long periods on the hottest days, but there are several important details that determine whether your AC is working the way it should or wasting energy and wearing itself out.

Below are the top five things every homeowner should understand about an air conditioner that runs constantly in the summer, along with practical steps you can take to protect your comfort, your equipment, and your energy bills.

Safety note: Any time you remove panels or work near electrical components, turn off power to the system at the thermostat and at the outdoor disconnect or breaker. If you are not comfortable working around HVAC equipment, it is always better to call a professional.

1. Understand How Your AC Is Sized For Sacramento Summers

Residential air conditioners are designed using a concept called the “design temperature.” Here in the Sacramento Valley, that design temperature is around 104 degrees. When outdoor temperatures are close to that level, a correctly sized system is built to run for long cycles so it can hold your indoor temperature around the mid to upper seventies.

On those 100-degree afternoons, it is completely normal for your AC to run almost continuously and still be healthy. In that situation, the key question is not “Is it running all the time?” but “Is it keeping up with the temperature you set?”

Ask yourself a few quick questions:

• Is the thermostat holding close to your set point, or does the temperature climb several degrees in the afternoon?
• Do you feel reasonably even temperatures in most rooms, or are there hot spots that never cool down?
• Do you see ice on the refrigerant lines or hear unusual noises from the outdoor unit?

If the system runs constantly but maintains the temperature you chose, it is probably doing its job in serious Sacramento heat. When it runs constantly and still cannot keep up, that usually points to issues such as:

• Undersized equipment for the square footage and insulation level
• Significant duct leakage in the attic or crawlspace
• Poor attic insulation or large west-facing windows without shading

Those are problems our team can evaluate with a full system inspection and load calculation. In many homes, targeted improvements to ductwork, insulation, or windows make just as much difference as installing a larger AC.

2. Keep Airflow Healthy With Clean Filters And Open Vents

Every air conditioner relies on adequate airflow across the indoor evaporator coil. A good rule of thumb is about 400 cubic feet per minute of air for each ton of cooling. When filters are clogged or vents are shut, that airflow drops, the coil gets too cold, and the system has to work harder and longer to move heat out of your home.

During a Rancho Cordova summer, when your AC may run for many hours a day, filter maintenance becomes critical. Our technicians see a lot of “AC running all day” calls where the main culprit is simply a filter that has not been replaced in months.

Here are practical airflow tips you can follow:

• Check your filter at least once a month in peak cooling season.
• Replace one-inch filters every 30 to 60 days, and thicker media filters at least twice a year, or as the manufacturer recommends.
• Use the correct filter size and insert it with the arrows pointing in the direction of airflow.
• Avoid stacking multiple filters or using very restrictive filters without having your system evaluated, since that can choke off airflow.
• Keep supply registers and return grilles open and clear of furniture, rugs, and curtains.

If you notice weak airflow at certain vents while others feel strong, that can indicate crushed or disconnected flex duct, closed dampers, or balancing issues in the duct system. Our technicians can check static pressure, inspect ductwork, and recommend adjustments that help your AC move air efficiently so it does not have to run as long to do the same job.

3. Protect The Outdoor Unit From Dirt, Debris, And Heat Buildup

Your outdoor condenser is the part of the system that rejects heat to the outside air. Warm refrigerant enters the condenser coil, a fan pulls outdoor air across that coil, and the heat is moved out into the environment. When that coil is dirty or the unit is surrounded by obstacles, the refrigerant cannot cool down as effectively. The result is higher operating pressure, higher energy use, and longer run times.

In the Sacramento Valley, dust, pollen, and cottonwood fluff can build up on the coil over the course of a single cooling season. Landscaping that grows too close to the unit, or items stored around it, can also block airflow.

You can help your condenser breathe by:

• Keeping at least two feet of clearance around the unit on all sides
• Trimming shrubs and grass away from the cabinet
• Making sure the top of the unit is not covered while it is running
• Gently rinsing the coil from the top down with a garden hose when the power is turned off

For deeper cleanings, our technicians remove the top, access the inside of the coil, and use coil-safe cleaners that break down tough dirt without damaging the fins. During a professional tune-up, we also check fan operation, capacitor values, and refrigerant pressures to verify that the condenser is operating efficiently.

When the outdoor unit can get rid of heat easily, the entire system runs cooler and does not have to stay on as long to reach the same indoor temperature.

4. Use Smart Thermostat Settings Instead Of Constant Thermostat Changes

How you use your thermostat plays a big role in how long your AC runs each day. In many Rancho Cordova and Sacramento homes, frequent thermostat changes create long run times that are easy to avoid

Consider this common scenario: the thermostat is left at 72 degrees all day, even when everyone is at work, because you want the house to be chilly when you get home. The AC ends up running through the hottest hours to maintain that low temperature. Energy use climbs, and the equipment never gets a break.

A few simple adjustments can make a big difference:

• Choose a realistic temperature range, such as 76 to 78 degrees, when you are home during the day.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to let the temperature rise a few degrees when the house is empty, then bring it back down before you return.
• Avoid large setbacks on the hottest days, because recovering from a very warm house to a very cool setting can make the system run for many hours anyway.
• Use ceiling fans to help you feel cooler at a slightly higher thermostat setting.

Modern high-efficiency systems with variable speed blowers and higher SEER2 ratings are designed to run longer at lower power levels, which can be more efficient than short, frequent cycles. When our technicians install new systems in the Sacramento area, we often pair them with smart thermostats that match your schedule and take advantage of those comfort features.

If you are not sure whether your thermostat is programmed correctly, or you suspect it may be misreading the room temperature, our team can check calibration and location during a service visit.

5. Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance And Plan For System Age

Long summer run times are much easier on an air conditioner that is clean, properly charged, and mechanically sound. Without maintenance, small issues like a weak capacitor, slightly low refrigerant charge, or a dirty blower wheel can turn into major problems that cause the system to run longer and eventually fail on the hottest day of the year.

During an AC tune-up, our technicians typically:

• Measure the temperature split across the indoor coil to verify cooling performance
• Check refrigerant pressures, superheat, and subcooling against manufacturer specifications
• Inspect electrical connections, capacitors, and contactors
• Test safety controls and condensate drainage
• Clean accessible coils and components as needed

If your system is more than 12 to 15 years old, it is also wise to think about long-term planning. Many older units still in service use R-22 refrigerant, which was completely phased out in 2020 and is now only available as reclaimed product at a much higher cost. Newer systems use R 410A, and manufacturers are introducing equipment that uses mildly flammable A2L refrigerants such as R 454B for improved efficiency and lower global warming potential.

When replacement time comes, we can help you compare options that meet current SEER2 standards and fit the specific demands of Sacramento summers. A properly sized, well-installed system with a good maintenance plan will run longer, cost less to operate, and keep your home comfortable even on those 100-degree afternoons.

You should consider calling Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning if:

• Your AC runs all day, but still cannot reach the thermostat setting
• You see ice on the refrigerant lines or the indoor coil
• You hear unusual noises or notice burning or electrical smells
• Your energy bills have jumped significantly compared to previous summers
• The system is older and has required repeated repairs over the last few years

Our goal is to give you clear options, explain what we find in plain language, and help you decide whether repair, upgrades, or replacement makes the most sense for your home and budget.

Staying comfortable through a Sacramento summer is absolutely possible when you understand how your system is supposed to operate and take care of a few key details around your home. If you have questions about the way your AC is running, or you want a professional opinion before the next heat wave arrives, our team is ready to help.

Fox Family Heating and Air Conditioning serves Rancho Cordova, Sacramento, and Northern California. If you need help keeping your air conditioner running all summer smoothly, call 916-877-1577 or schedule a visit online.