Each time your air conditioner starts up, it should run for several minutes before turning off again. The complete process is called a cooling cycle, and it’s key to how your HVAC system provides comfortable indoor temperatures. So if you’ve noticed your AC keeps shutting off, comfort can be more difficult to maintain.
There are many reasons why your air conditioner keeps turning off, but one of the most common reasons is short cycling. This irritating HVAC problem involves cooling cycles that aren’t long enough to make effective use of your air conditioner. It may keep switching off before your home has a chance to cool down. We’ll check out a few details of what short cycling is and where it starts. Then, we’ll share a few more separate reasons your cooling equipment keeps turning off.
Your Air Conditioner May Be Short Cycling
When an air conditioner short cycles, it shuts off before reaching the desired temperature. It may not be long before the thermostat recognizes this and instructs the AC to start up again. But since there’s a problem, the air conditioner will continue to short cycle. This may extend the time necessary to cool your home while putting extra strain on key components. If left alone too long, short cycling might even lead to premature equipment failure.
5 Problems That Could Lead to Your Air Conditioner Short Cycling
Another tedious aspect of short cycling is the number of possible causes. In general, a lot of short-cycling issues can be caused by overheating. But the excess heat could just be the symptom of another unknown problem. During air conditioner repair, a technician will look for a few of the most common things to start narrowing down the root cause.
- Overheating: High heat can ruin components inside your air conditioner. Safety features will detect overheating and shut the AC off to protect sensitive parts. But if the original problem hasn’t been addressed, this process just starts over again.
- Poor Airflow: Your HVAC system needs enough airflow to function at safe, optimal temperatures. When the air filter or ductwork is clogged, the lack of circulation can47] lead to overheating, which means short cycling.
- Wrong AC Sizing: HVAC equipment should be properly “sized” for your home. This means that the power of your air conditioner suits the cooling needs of your home. An air conditioning system that’s too powerful will pump out cool air too quickly, tricking the system into turning off early before the entire house is cooled down.
- Dirty Condenser Coils: This component dissipates the heat collected from inside your home. When the coils are too dirty, this heat can end up in the air conditioner. The high levels of heat may be enough to trigger a premature shutdown.
- Thermostat location: The thermostat should be in a convenient location away from a vent or the HVAC equipment itself. This ensures every room of the house has cooling for long enough to reach the set temperature. Placing your thermostat too close to cool air can fool it into thinking the temperature has been reached earlier.
Short cycling is a frustrating problem ideal for the tools and knowledge of a professional technician. But there are still other reasons your air conditioner may be shutting off unexpectedly. Let’s take a look.
A Few Other Reasons Your AC Keeps Shutting Off
Electrical Malfunction: Any number of malfunctions with the wiring or an electrical switch might lead to a steady stream of shutdowns. Maybe the wiring is old or damaged, but electrical problems generally require professional care for a prompt, safe solution.
Compressor Failure: This vital component applies pressure to force heat out of the refrigerant before it’s vented out from your home. When the component fails, a safety switch should recognize the pressure change and force the air conditioner to shut off.
Refrigerant Leak: Your refrigerant absorbs and releases heat, making it one of the most important substances in your HVAC system. A leak can be catastrophic, as the coils designed to hold the coolant are expensive to replace. It’s important to respond quickly if you suspect a leak to prevent premature air conditioning replacement.
Clogged Condensate Line: When humidity is condensed into moisture during the cooling process, the condensate line safely drains it away. When the line or drain pan is clogged up, a float switch shuts off the AC before half of it is running underwater.
H2: Stop Short Cycling in Its Tracks with Fras-Air/General Service Experts
If your air conditioner is short cycling, call a professional technician with Fras-Air/General Service Experts. They can quickly determine the root cause, working toward a solution that protects the rest of your HVAC system from the wear and tear of short cycling. To schedule an appointment or request an appointment, call 908-448-2154 today.