Do you hear your air conditioning unit turn off and on frequently throughout the day? This is what’s known as short cycling – and if not properly addressed, it can harm your HVAC system.
Air Depot has been helping Texas homes stay cool for over 40 years. Here, we discuss air conditioner short cycling and what you can do.
What Is Short Cycling?
An air conditioner cycles between resting and cooling states to provide cool air throughout the day without overtaxing the system.
Short cycling refers to an air conditioner that turns off and on constantly, barely getting through the cooling cycle.
A short cycle does not allow the air conditioner to regulate indoor temperatures or humidity. It also increases energy use and strain on the air conditioner’s components and reduces the unit’s lifespan.
Common Causes for Short Cycling
Several problems could cause AC short cycling. While you may be able to fix some, remember to rely on trustworthy technicians for intensive issues.
Ones You Could Fix Yourself
Depending on your knowledge and expertise, you may be able to find and fix these short cycling causes:
- Dirty Air Filter: A clogged air filter could prevent proper temperature sensing and airflow, overworking the unit. For this, you need to replace the air filters with clean ones.
- Frozen Evaporator Coil: Evaporator coils absorb indoor heat but cannot work if frozen. Turn off the unit to allow the ice to melt and ensure the evaporator coil hasn’t collected dust or dirt that could cause freezing. If coils freeze regardless, there may be a more difficult issue.
- Thermostat Malfunction: Electrical or setting issues affecting the thermostat could cause it to turn the air conditioner on and off frequently. The resolution could be to change the thermostat setting, or you may need to reset the thermostat to its base functions. For electrical problems, you may want to rely on a professional.
Ones That Often Require Expert Help
You should leave the following issues to expert technicians:
- Oversized Unit: If an air conditioner unit is too large for the property it services, it could cool the property too quickly, leading it to turn off. Consequently, the indoor air doesn’t stay cool, causing the unit to turn back on. This requires a new air conditioner and technicians to evaluate the property to determine the proper replacement.
- Refrigerant Leak: Refrigerant helps gather or release heat energy, depending on its form, while flowing in the system. It can be quite toxic and damaging to breathe in or touch. Trained HVAC technicians will safely restore or replace refrigerant lines to get your unit running again.
- Faulty Compressor: The air compressor is the heart of an AC, which helps circulate refrigerant and prepare it to cool incoming air. The compressor connects to various components and is very electrically involved. Because of the shock risk, we suggest calling an HVAC technician.
Call Air Depot for Quality HVAC Care
At Air Depot, we pride ourselves on top-quality customer service and industry-leading air conditioning installations, repairs, and maintenance.
Call Air Depot Cooling & Heating at 281-477-3700 today to stop AC short cycling!
