Your air conditioner regularly turns on an off at intervals to keep your home at the desired temperature. However, if these intervals are too short, the AC may be short cycling.
Short cycling can cause damage to unit components and cost you money in repairs. Thus, if you notice the AC turning on and off more often than usual, it should alarm you. Keep reading to find out the leading causes of air conditioner short cycling and what you can do about the problem.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Dirt, dust, and debris in the air filter restrict airflow, forcing your AC to strain and spend more energy to cool your house. The blocked air filter works extra hard to compensate for the air flow blockage.
With a reduced air flow through the cooling and heating system, the heat exchanger overheats and shuts off before the cycle ends. Regular cleaning and replacement of worn out air filters can solve the problem.
Low Refrigerant in the Unit
The refrigerant liquid is in the compressor of your air conditioner. During a cycle, it’s converted to gas then back to liquid, a process that helps absorb heat and lowers the air temperature.
The low refrigerant level results from a leak. When the refrigerant is low, your air conditioner will have to work overtime to cool your home. It makes the coils freeze and air conditioner turn on and off for short intervals.
Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils remove hot air from the house. When the evaporator coils get covered in dirt or ice, your air conditioner works much harder to take out the hot air effectively.
It results in overheating that forces the system to shut off. Do regular AC maintenance to help solve the problem.
AC Electrical Problems
The electrical issues can be in the thermostat, circuit boards, run capacitor, or electrical connections, which results in short cycling.
Defects in the control relay, loose wiring connections in the thermostat, and damaged circuit boards can make the air conditioner to turn on and off. If you suspect any fault in the AC’s electrical system. You should call the experts for immediate check-ups and repairs.
Incorrect Thermostat Placement
Incorrect placement of the thermostat causes the temperature sensor to give the wrong signal to your AC system. A wrongly placed thermostat can make the system run too short, too long, or in short bursts.
Avoid placing the thermostat near the window, doors, direct sunlight, heating and cooling supply ducts, cooking equipment, refrigeration equipment, ceiling, etc.
A good thermostat location makes the AC system efficient and helps you save on energy bills.
Improperly Sized AC Unit
If the short cycling started right from the moment you installed the AC system, there’s a chance your AC is too big for the space you’re cooling. The big unit cools your home quickly then shuts off; however, it does a poor job at removing humidity.
The frequent cycling causes a recurring breakdown of the AC components, making you spend more on maintenance cost.
Experiencing Air Conditioner Short Cycling?
Persistent air conditioner short cycling can be as a result of a serious underlying issue that requires immediate attention. Get immediate repairs to prevent further damage to your AC unit.
Contact us today for professional AC repair services.