Why is your AC unit short cycling?
Hearing your AC unit rapidly turn on and off might cause you to think it’s simply responding to a sweltering hot day. While AC systems will run a lot more during the summer, short-cycling can indicate several types of problems.
Addressing short-cycling issues right away is important for preserving your home’s AC unit. On top of impacting your comfort, short-cycles put unnecessary strain on HVAC systems. To help you save money and improve your quality of life, here’s everything you need to know about how to stop short cycling with an air conditioner tune-up.
What Exactly Is Short Cycling?
An HVAC system that is functioning normally will usually run for around 10 minutes or more before stopping for another amount of time. On a hot day, the cycles will be closer to this approximation. But, you might not hear the AC coming on as much on colder days.
Short cycling occurs when the AC turns on for only a few minutes at a time before shutting off. Since it doesn’t cool the air properly, you’ll then hear the unit kick back on again. This cycle can repeat many times in an hour to the point that it may seem like the AC is constantly running.
What Are the Common Causes of Short Cycling?
Routine AC maintenance helps to prevent short cycling. When we come out to your home or commercial business, we’ll start by checking for these common causes of rapid cycles.
Clogged Air Filter
HVAC systems need good airflow to work at peak efficiency. The air filter in your system does more than just help to remove dust and other contaminants. If the filter becomes clogged, then cool air can’t enter the system and heat won’t escape.
As the system struggles to cool the air, it has to work harder. Eventually, this can lead to the entire system shutting down. For routine air conditioning maintenance, you should change the air filter every three months. But, some people may need to change filter sooner, especially if you live in a dry or dusty climate.
Thermostat Malfunctions
Faulty thermostats tend to misread the temperatures in your home, which causes them to send the wrong signals to the AC unit. Sometimes, we can recalibrate or relocate the thermostat to improve the accuracy of its readings. But, replacing the thermostat with a new model is often the best course of action.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
Once dirt builds up on the evaporator coils, it can interfere with the heat transfer. An overheating AC system may shut down to prevent further damage. Cleaning the evaporating coils is a typical part of air conditioner maintenance routines that prevent short-cycling from occurring.
Low Refrigerant Levels
AC units that spring a leak can lose refrigerant that is necessary to properly cool the air. As the system struggles to cool the air, it will keep coming on in short cycles. Our technicians have the ability to repair leaks and add refrigerant to the ideal levels.
Oversized System
Although it might seem like a supersized system would provide ideal cooling, the opposite is true. Cooling your home too quickly causes the system to shut down sooner than it would during a normal cycle time. If the short-cycling is a new problem after an HVAC system installation, then you may need a technician to check to see if it is the right size.
Why Is Short Cycling a Serious Problem?
Short-cycling is more than just an annoyance, you’ll want to fix the problem right away to avoid having these issues arise:
- Increased wear and tear on the system
- Rising utility costs
- Reduced cooling efficiency
- Improper humidity levels
- Premature system failure
Follow These Simple Maintenance Tips
Our team at Melbourne One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating recommends halting short-cycling by using these AC maintenance tips:
- Clean dirty coils to reduce overheating
- Replace old or clogged air filters
- Lubricate mechanical parts
- Check refrigerant levels
- Assess and adjust thermostat settings as needed
- Clear clogs in the condensate drains
Know When to Call the Pros at Melbourne One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating
Most homeowners are fully capable of performing simple tasks such as changing the air filter. But, you will need to call for a professional AC tune-up for more complicated steps such as checking the refrigerant levels.
HVAC systems contain complicated electrical components that can cause injuries if you aren’t trained to follow essential safety practices. Fortunately, we act fast to help you get your AC back in working order.
As we enjoy telling our customers, “We’re on time or you don’t pay a dime.” Once you notice short-cycling, don’t hesitate to reach out. When you do, let us know which steps you’ve already taken, along with any other issues you notice.
In many cases, we can have your AC working properly in the same day to provide you with prompt relief from the summer’s heat.
FAQs – Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers
People often reach out to us with these common short-cycling questions, and knowing the answers gives you insight into how we’ll address the problem.
What’s the easiest place to start with stopping short cycling?
Checking for a clogged air filter is one of the easiest things most property owners can do to start working on the problem.
What other problems can make my AC short-cycle?
Frozen evaporator coils, low refrigerant and poorly sized units are a few more issues that you might need a professional technician to check.
How fast can a pro stop my AC from short cycling?
If the issue is a minor repair, such as cleaning the coils or replacing a faulty hose, then we may be able to fix the problem on the same day. Replacing an improperly sized unit may take longer, but every case is different. Our technician can give you a personalized timeline for the air conditioning tune-up or replacement.
Do I need to turn my AC off when it is short cycling?
It depends. If frozen evaporator coils are the problem, then shutting off the unit allows them to thaw out. Meanwhile, leaving the unit on for a short period of time won’t usually cause serious damage if someone in your home needs cool air for health purposes.
Need to Stop Short Cycling Fast? Call Melbourne One Hour for Prompt Assistance
Dealing with short-cycling is annoying, and you may not have time to spare for restoring your property’s comfort. Reach out to Melbourne One Hour for fast and reliable AC maintenance and repairs.