When you set the thermostat in your home to turn on the central air conditioner, you may believe that is the primary control. However, the thermostat is only the beginning of the control process, as there are several sensors within the system itself that regulates when the compressor will switch on and off.

When the temperature sensor within the AC system goes bad, the system will start behaving erratically, which can result in a spike in your energy bills. Below are a couple of signs to watch out for that indicate that the temperature sensor in your home's central air conditioning system is malfunctioning and needs to be replaced by a professional repair technician.

1. Your House Becomes Too Cold Because the AC System Refuses to Shut Off

One sign that the temperature sensor within the AC system is going bad is when you notice that your house gets too cold. Even if you turn the temperature up on the thermostat, the air conditioner refuses to shut off and continues to blow cold air out of the vents.

When the temperature sensor is malfunctioning, it is no longer able to sense the temperature of the air within the chamber, causing it to receive a false signal that it needs to kick the compressor on. If the sensor is not replaced, the compressor will continue to run and wear down faster than normal.

2. You Notice That the Air Conditioner Short Cycles Randomly for No Discernible Reason

Another sign that the temperature sensor is malfunctioning is when you notice that the air conditioner starts to short cycle. No matter what setting is on the thermostat, the system will kick on for no discernible reason and then shortly switch off before the air coming through the vents gets cold.

If this is happening, the sensor is receiving mixed signals and will turn the compressor on or off depending on which signal it is receiving at a given moment. This problem could be caused by the sensor itself or an electrical short in the wiring supplying it, and it needs to be addressed by a repair technician.

When your house seems to stay cold no matter what you set your thermostat to because the AC refuses to shut off or it short cycles randomly for no reason that you can determine, the temperature sensor on the unit is most likely malfunctioning. Since replacing this sensor requires electrical work and specialized skills, you will need to have a professional do it for you.

To get more information, contact a local company.