Is Your AC Short Cycling? 4 Things That May Cause This Problem

AC short-cycling occurs when your unit begins the cooling cycle, turns off unexpectedly, then resumes after some time. If you notice that your air conditioner is short cycling, don't hesitate to seek the services of an experienced air conditioning repair technician. This is because failing to take immediate action will cause damage to your AC compressor. Additionally, it consumes more energy, and you'll start to see a significant increase in your energy bills. Below are a few things that may be causing your air conditioner to short cycle.

1. You have an incorrectly sized air conditioning unit

An oversized air conditioning unit in your home will release a high amount of cool air fast and then shut off. This results in uneven cooling of some spaces within your home. The only way you can get quality air throughout your home is by running your air conditioner all the time, which can lead to a spike in your electricity bills. If you believe that you have an oversized unit, contact an experienced AC repair expert to help you determine the right unit size that best fits your home.

2. You have frozen evaporator coils

Your AC evaporator coils can become frozen due to airflow problems or refrigerant issues. The primary role of the evaporator coils is to remove heat from your home. So, when they are restricted, the refrigerant inside the evaporator coils will become colder, causing ice build-up and short cycling. On the first sign of ice on your evaporator coils, turn off your unit to allow the ice to melt. You should then contact an air conditioning repair technician to come and inspect your system's internal components.  

3. Your air filter may be clogged

You should monitor and change your air filters regularly. When you let them become too dirty, they'll block the air coming from your system, and your unit will have to work extra hard to compensate for the reduced airflow. Eventually, this will cause your AC blower and compressor to overheat, resulting in short cycling. Changing the air filter is something you can do by yourself, but you should contact an experienced AC repair technician to do it for you and inspect your unit for potential issues.

4. You have a low refrigerant level

When your refrigerant level drops because of a leak, your AC unit won't effectively absorb heat. This can cause your compressor to overheat, leading to short cycling problems. Understand that it's challenging to detect refrigerant leaks without using specialized equipment. That's why it's essential to contact an air conditioning repair expert to check your system and fix the leak.

Don't let short cycling cause your air conditioning unit to break down. Contact an air conditioning repair technician if your air conditioner keeps turning on and off.