Is Your Air Conditioner Sensor Defective? Find Out

24 October 2022
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An AC uses a sensor to measure the temperature of the air as it passes over the evaporator coil. This sensor helps the AC regulate the air temperature according to the thermostat setting. However, if the sensor malfunctions, it will likely detect temperatures inaccurately, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere as the system does not attain the set temperature. Therefore, it is wise to hire an AC repair technician to assess your system and fix the underlying issue. The following are four signs of a faulty sensor:

The System Running Constantly

Your cooling unit will run constantly if the AC sensor fails. This is due to the sensor not reading the temperature in the evaporator coil, causing the system to blow cold air continually. Consequently, the temperature will dip beyond the set point, resulting in an unbearably cold interior. In addition, your electricity bills will spike because the unit runs in overdrive when the sensor is faulty. Thus, you need to contact an AC repair specialist to fix your sensor for seamless and efficient operation.

Short-Cycling

The temperature sensor could be faulty if you notice the system cycling on and off. This could be due to the component dislodging from the evaporator coil, causing inaccurate temperature readings. As a result, premature cooling cycles cause the system not to attain the desired temperatures, leading to a warm and humid atmosphere with temperature imbalances throughout your home. Furthermore, the compressor may wear down faster due to unnecessary strain when starting up and shutting off. This condition causes the system to become vulnerable to breakdowns, increasing the repair frequency.

No Cold Air From The Vents

When the AC sensor fails, it can send erratic signals to the thermostat. In a case where it reads the temperatures as colder than the set point, it will not run cooling cycles so that no cool air will blow from the vents. Moreover, if you have the thermostat setting at fan ON, the airflow from the vents will be warm as the fan continues to blow air when not cycling. Therefore, you should engage an AC repair contractor to replace your sensor for desirable indoor temperatures.

High Electricity Bills

A malfunctioning AC sensor transmits incorrect signals to the system, causing the temperature to alternate intermittently between cold and warm. As a result, your system will run constantly and expend more energy. In addition, if the unit short cycles, your electricity bills will increase because the motors consume a lot of energy from starting up too frequently.

Your AC sensor performs optimally when the system is well-maintained. Accordingly, you need to schedule routine service checks to ensure your unit is in good working order. Reach out to a local AC repair service to learn more about this topic.