My AC units both run constantly for approximately 4 hours (or more) to reach the desired temperature without cycling. I checked with Google Nest Support and there is no setting to manually force the system to cycle 1-2 times per hour as is available on most other thermostats, and it does not appear that Nest has an automatic setting to do this either. I was told by support that this depends on the HVAC systems. I have two units and both are over 10 years old. I'm concerned that this constant running without cycling will cause damage to the compressors or other issues. I also believe that it is more efficient to cycle the compressor 1-2 times every hour while cooling, which means I'm using more power than ideal because the Nest Learning Thermostat does not automatically or manually cycle.
For additional context, I live in TX and have been trying to reduce my AC usage during the daytime hours. My house is well insulated, and will hold a comfortable temperature during the day, but prefer to have a lower temp at night while sleeping. There are days in which the AC does not turn on at all (which is my preference based on the electricity plan we have-free nights) during the day, but will start cooling from about 78 to 71 in the evenings which takes at least a few hours in our home (I've seen up to 5 hours some days), at which time the AC never cycles until it reaches that desired temperature of 71.
If I cannot address this issues I will have to change thermostats, and it appears that many of the biggest competitors offer this feature.
