Every 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 generates comfortable indoor temperatures. So if you’ve noticed your AC keeps turning off, comfort can be tougher to maintain.
There are different reasons why your air conditioner keeps turning off, but one of the most common reasons is short cycling. This aggravating HVAC problem involves cooling cycles that aren’t long enough to make efficient use of your air conditioner. It may keep shutting 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 offer a few more separate reasons your cooling equipment keeps turning off.
When an air conditioner short cycles, it switches off before reaching the set temperature. It may not be long before the thermostat realizes this and instructs the AC to turn on again. But since there’s a problem, the air conditioner will continue to short cycle. This can extend the time necessary to cool your home while putting extra strain on key components. If left alone too long, short cycling may even lead to premature equipment failure.
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 issue. During air conditioner repair, a technician will check for a few of the most common things to start narrowing down the root cause.
Short cycling is a complicated problem ideal for the tools and knowledge of a professional technician. But there are still other reasons your air conditioner might be shutting off unexpectedly. Let’s take a look.
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 should receive professional care for a prompt, safe solution.
Compressor Failure: This important component applies 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 tell 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 disastrous, 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.
If your air conditioner is short cycling, call a professional technician with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. They can quickly find 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 today.
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