Each time your air conditioner turns on, it should run for a while minutes before turning off again. The entire process is known as a cooling cycle, and it’s vital to how your HVAC system generates comfortable indoor temperatures. So if you’ve noticed your AC keeps turning off, comfort can be more difficult to maintain.
There are different reasons why your air conditioner keeps shutting 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 efficient use of your air conditioner. It may keep turning off before your home has a chance to cool down. We’ll review a few details of what short cycling is and where it comes from. Then, we’ll share a few more separate reasons your cooling equipment keeps shutting down.
Your Air Conditioner May Be Short Cycling
When an air conditioner short cycles, it turns off before reaching the set 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 can extend the time needed to cool your home while putting extra strain on important components. If left alone too long, short cycling can even lead to premature equipment failure.
5 Problems That May Lead to Your Air Conditioner Short Cycling
Another frustrating aspect of short cycling is the number of potential 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: Too much heat can ruin components inside your air conditioner. Safety features will detect overheating and shut the AC off to protect delicate parts. But if the original problem hasn’t been resolved, this process just starts over again.
- Poor Airflow: Your HVAC system requires proper airflow to function at safe, optimal temperatures. When the air filter or ductwork is clogged, poor 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 big will pump out cool air too fast, 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 get too dirty, this heat may 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 central 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. Installing your thermostat too close to cool air can trick it into thinking the temperature has been reached earlier.
Short cycling is an annoying problem ideal for the tools and knowledge of a professional technician. But there are still other reasons your air conditioner is shutting off unexpectedly. Let’s take a look.
A Few Other Reasons Your AC Keeps Switching Off
Electrical Malfunction: Any number of malfunctions with the wiring or an electrical switch can lead to a steady stream of shutdowns. Maybe the wiring is old or damaged, but electrical problems should receive professional care for a prompt, safe solution.
Compressor Failure: This vital component uses pressure to force heat out of the refrigerant before it’s removed from your home. When the component fails, a safety switch will recognize the pressure change and force the air conditioner to shut off.
Refrigerant Leak: Your refrigerant holds 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 avoid 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 stops the AC before half of it is running underwater.
H2: Stop Short Cycling in Its Tracks with McKinley Heating Service Experts
If your air conditioner is short cycling, call a professional technician with McKinley Heating 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 780-800-7092 today.