Correctly functioning AC units usually cycle two to three cooling cycles every hour, each lasting approximately 10 minutes. Any short cycling interrupts this pattern and puts undue strain on equipment.
Short cycling may occur for various reasons, including dirty air filters, undersized AC units, and refrigerant leaks. Control boards or wiring issues could also contribute to problems.
Whether your AC unit is short cycling, blowing hot air, or emitting a musty smell, you can rely on the experience of a professional HVAC company, like the team at Autumn Air Heating and Cooling.
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How To Stop Ac Unit From Short Cycling?
- Check the Air Filter
- Check the Refrigerant Level
- Look at the Thermostat
- Check the Evaporator Coil
Check the Air Filter
Dirty air filters are one of the leading causes of short cycling. As soon as they become clogged up, your AC unit struggles to draw enough air through and may overheat, eventually shutting off before finishing its cycle.
By regularly cleaning or replacing this air filter, your unit should begin working effectively again.
Make sure your AC unit is off before removing its cover or returning the air duct – look for airflow arrows on the filter, then replace it with a new, clean one if required.
Other causes of short cycling could include an improperly calibrated thermostat or frozen evaporator coil that needs fixing – both can be tricky or risky to address without assistance from experienced HVAC specialists, so having them inspect the problem and recommend solutions could be invaluable.
Check the Refrigerant Level
Coolant circulates through an AC unit to chill air and achieve your home’s target temperature. When refrigerant levels fall too low, your AC must work harder to reach that goal, leading to extra wear and tear on its parts and higher energy bills.
On a warm day, an air conditioner typically undergoes three cooling cycles per hour, lasting about 10 minutes each. Unfortunately, when there are system short cycles or the compressor has to start up and shut off more frequently than usual, this pattern can become disrupted and cause it to short cycle too often.
This problem is typically due to a frozen evaporator coil. An icy coil cannot absorb latent heat and causes your air conditioner to short cycle, forcing a professional technician to check refrigerant levels and add more as necessary, look for leaks and repair any that exist, or recommend replacement with one more suitable for its size if the issue stems from an oversized unit.
Look at the Thermostat
Short cycling occurs when an air conditioner shuts off before finishing its cooling cycle, often for various reasons ranging from dirty air filters to frozen evaporator coils. Some issues can be easily remedied independently, while others need professional services from HVAC specialists.
Your electricity bills could increase if your AC unit keeps turning on and off constantly, as it uses more power during its “start-up and shutdown cycles”. Furthermore, all this starting and stopping puts extra strain on its compressor and shortens its lifespan.
Electrical problems, like faulty wiring or an outdated control board, are sometimes the source of AC malfunction. HVAC professionals are best placed to resolve such issues quickly and safely – their expertise will enable them to resolve your AC’s issues and keep it operating as intended.
Check the Evaporator Coil
Evaporator coils are key to efficiently cooling air in your home; if they become clogged or dirty, they won’t perform optimally. They could overheat, leading to premature shut-off and repeated restarting of the unit, causing unnecessary stress on its systems and high energy bills.
Whenever an evaporator coil freezes, immediately shut it down and wait for it to defrost before restarting your AC system. However, as frozen coils can often be symptoms of deeper mechanical issues that require professional assistance, calling in an HVAC specialist might be worthwhile as they will quickly diagnose and remedy the situation before it worsens further.
A professional will check the compressor, refrigerant levels, air filter, and thermostat functioning correctly while making recommendations if anything needs fixing or adjustment.
