AC Short Cycling: All Facts You Should Know
Jane Tu - December 23, 2022When an air conditioner’s cooling cycle is shorter than it should be, this is referred to as AC short cycling. On a hot day, this usually lasts for 10 minutes, stops for 10, and so on. The breaks will be longer on cooler days. However, this pattern is disturbed by AC short cycling. Continue reading, you will learn more facts about AC short cycling.
What is Short-cycling?
Utilizing refrigerant, your air conditioner uses latent heat from indoor air to be transported outdoors. The compressor plays a major role in the air conditioning process by compressing and circulating the refrigerant through the condenser and other parts of the AC system. This entire process, or “cooling cycle,” occurs while the compressor is turned on.
Most air conditioners go through three cooling cycles an hour, each lasting roughly ten minutes, on a moderately hot day. This implies that the compressor will run for 10 minutes, shut off for 10, and then repeat the cycle twice more in a single hour.
Short cycling occurs when the cooling cycle is much shorter than the typical 10 minutes, which causes the compressor to cycle on and off more frequently than usual. While depriving your home of its cooling comfort, this constant stopping and starting put additional strain on the compressor.
Why is My Air Conditioner Short Cycling?
If your air conditioner is constantly turning on and off, you have an AC short cycle. Short cycling issues with your air conditioner must be resolved if you notice this happening because they can result in total AC unit failure.
An HVAC expert can assist in resolving the problem of the air conditioner short cycling. The Comfort Specialists at ARS/Rescue Rooter have put together this manual to assist homeowners in avoiding short cycling and expensive repairs.
What Causes Your Ac to Short Cycle?
Short cycling of an air conditioner is typically a sign of a larger issue, and there are many potential causes.
The best way to stop it is with regular maintenance of your air conditioner from an HVAC expert.
Clogged Air Filter
Airflow is necessary for the air conditioner to operate properly. Filter blockages reduce airflow and put stress on the appliance. An HVAC specialist will frequently start by checking the air filter when providing service because it can cause a number of air conditioning problems.
When heat cannot leave the HVAC system and cool air cannot enter, it can cause short cycling issues by deceiving the system into thinking the interior is hotter than it actually is. Consequently, the air conditioner runs more frequently without effectively cooling the house.
Filters that are clogged not only result in HVAC and short cycling problems but also use more energy, which raises energy costs.
Generally, a professional HVAC technician will recommend changing filters every three months. However, it might be preferable to replace the filters more frequently if you have pets or live in an area that tends to be particularly dry and dusty.
Miscalibrated Thermostat
A miscalibrated thermostat will incorrectly determine the precise temperature, causing the HVAC system to turn on and off at the wrong times.
The system will abruptly shut off and then quickly restart in an effort to reach the desired temperature. The unit will receive false information from the thermostat, such as that the set temperature has been reached, or the opposite.
The HVAC system is put under a lot of stress by a miscalibrated thermostat, which can also be a challenge to identify. To ensure accurate readings, it is advantageous to place your AC thermostat in a central area away from vents.
Leaking Air Ducts
Air from the exterior, the basement, and inside your walls will be drawn inside by leaking ducts. As a result, the air conditioning system struggles to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
In addition to the short cycling of the air conditioner, they also result in higher energy costs and an abundance of dust.
Iced Or Dirty Evaporator Coil
A frozen or dirty evaporator coil can also lead to AC short cycling. Your home’s evaporator coils remove latent heat, and if they become iced over or dirty, they may stop working properly, overheating your home and possibly shortening the life of your air conditioner.
Evaporator coils can be an easy fix and are usually the result of poor maintenance. If the AC evaporator coils seem to be clogged or frozen, make an appointment with a technician.
Failing Low-Pressure Control Switch
Abnormally low pressure can cause the air conditioning system to freeze up. First, this affects the evaporator coil and then eventually the compressor.
This may be the main reason for your air conditioner’s short cycling if the evaporator coils, filters, or refrigerant levels are all fixed.
You should have an HVAC professional replace the low-pressure control switch with a brand-new one.
Failing Compressor
If an air conditioner compressor is unable to operate for a longer period of time, it may begin to short cycle. Short cycles will only cause the compressor more harm, so it’s crucial to get an HVAC expert to look it over as soon as possible.
Verify if there is a manufacturer warranty if the compressor needs to be replaced.
Oversized Unit Or Undersized Unit
An air conditioner that is too small is a common cause of AC short cycling problems. With oversized units, it will be difficult to keep the right cooling time.
An oversized air conditioner will cool the area and shut off in a short period of time, reducing the length of the full cooling cycle.
Unfortunately, there is no way to fix this, and you will need to replace the AC unit with one of the proper sizes.
Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels are another factor in air conditioners’ short cycle times. Your air conditioning system circulates the refrigerant through it. Heat is released outside after being removed from the house.
The charge of refrigerant also referred to as the level, should not change. If the charge level is low, contact a professional to add more refrigerant and address the cause of the reduced amount.
The air conditioner unit will have to work harder without the proper charge of refrigerant, which causes overheating and shortened cycling.
How to Fix a Short Cycling Air Conditioner
Dirty air filters: Replace them
Frozen evaporator coils: Turn off your system and wait for the coils to defrost before turning them back on.
Improperly sized AC unit: Schedule an appointment with an HVAC professional to help you find the right size unit for your home and needs.
Leaking refrigerant: To fix your system, get in touch with a heating and cooling company.
Electrical issues: Contact the professionals to inspect and repair all electrical components of your AC system.
Thermostat placement: We advise hiring a specialist like Ace Solves It All to relocate your thermostat so that it is done safely and correctly the next time.
How to Stop and Prevent Short-cycling?
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can put an end to your air conditioner’s short-cycling issues:
- Examine your air filter. You wouldn’t believe the number of problems with your air conditioner that a clogged air filter can cause. Checking your air filter is a good idea, especially if it’s caked with dust and debris.
- Verify where your thermostat is located. It is advantageous to have your thermostat installed on the main interior wall of your home. Make sure your thermostat isn’t too close to the return air register, so it doesn’t get confused by the influx of cool air and produces the wrong readings.
- Check your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels. Having a qualified expert check the levels and, if necessary, add more refrigerant is a good idea. Any leaks in the air conditioning system will be found by your HVAC expert.
- The low-pressure control switch needs to be replaced. If you are still dealing with short-cycling issues after checking all of the above, you should have your HVAC professional replace this component with a brand-new one.
- Check the compressor. It’s a good idea to have your HVAC professional check the compressor and, if necessary, replace it because a failing compressor may also show symptoms of short cycling.
Most short-cycling issues can be avoided with routine maintenance. If your short-cycling problems are due to an oversized air conditioner, you should consider having it replaced with one that’s properly matched to your home’s specific air conditioning needs.
FAQ About Ac Short Cycling
How Do I Stop My AC from Short Cycling?
Check out the above-listed items, starting with the filters. After that, get in touch with an experienced HVAC technician to inspect and fix the air conditioner.
What Would Cause An AC to Short Cycle?
Filters that are clogged, low refrigerant levels, frozen evaporator coils, or an oversized air conditioner unit are all potential causes of air conditioner short cycling.
Should I Turn My AC Off If It is Short Cycling?
No, you don’t need to do this unless your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are frozen in which case you should turn it off to allow the coils to thaw.
Need AC Repair Service Fast? Call ARS/Rescue Rooter
Your needs for plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning are all expertly handled by ARS/Rescue Rooter. We put a priority on providing excellent customer service while finishing your job quickly.
What is Short Cycling on An AC Unit?
Short cycling is when an air conditioner turns on and off frequently in a short time.
Conclusion on Ac Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your AC system turns on and off more frequently than it should. Your system works harder than necessary to cool your home when your air conditioner runs for a short period of time before turning off early. Short cycling makes your AC take more time and energy than it normally would to reach goal temperature, which adds extra wear and tear to your unit and leads to higher energy bills.
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