Is Your Air Conditioner Short Cycling?

Air conditioner short cycling is when your AC unit turns on and off rapidly. This problem not only puts a serious strain on your system, it can significantly affect your energy bills as well. Being aware of this problem and addressing it in a timely manner will save you from future financial and mechanical headaches.

There are numerous reasons why your air conditioner is short cycling, and it’s imperative that you fix these problems immediately in order to save both your air conditioner and energy costs. Below are a few common reasons for short cycling:

• Oversized system: Believe it or not, this is a common cause of short cycling. An air conditioner that is too big for the space it was intended to cool will cycle on and off repeatedly because it is cooling a space too quickly.
• Ice buildup on the evaporator coils: Many times this is caused by a lack of airflow or refrigerant problems. For example, your evaporator coils may be dirty, interfering with their ability to absorb heat and preventing the correct airflow over the coil.
• Dirty air filters: Dirty air filters are a primary cause of many air conditioning woes — including short cycling. Inspect and change your filters regularly. If you don’t know how to properly inspect and change your filters, call a trusted HVAC professional.
• Refrigerant loss/leaks: Lack of refrigerant, usually due to leaks in the system will tax your condenser, causing it to overheat and short cycle. Call an HVAC technician immediately.
• Thermostat problems: Occasionally the problem may not be your air conditioner, and a faulty or poorly adjusted thermostat could be the culprit that’s causing short cycling.

If any of these problems occur, and you are experiencing air conditioning short cycling, contact a knowledgeable HVAC company to assess the situation immediately.