Why Is My Air Conditioner Short Cycling?

Why Is My Air Conditioner Short Cycling?

If your AC unit sounds like rocks in a blender as it’s running or if it’s not turning on, you are likely to recognize that there’s problem right away. When these things happen, you know to immediately call your trusted local HVAC experts to fix the problem. But what about when the problem isn’t so obvious? When you notice your air conditioner short cycling, should you give it the same attention?

Air conditioner short cycling? What is it?

Your air conditioner isn’t supposed to run 24/7. But it shouldn’t run in run bursts, either. Which is basically what air conditioner short cycling is. You AC will start up, run momentarily, then cycle down before a full cooling cycle has been completed. The reasons why this is a big deal that should be dealt with immediately:

  • It wastes energy
    Your system uses the most energy when it first starts up. If it constantly has to restart over and over again, it’s consuming more energy than it needs to be and is driving up the costs of your energy bills.
  • Air conditioner short cycling increases wear and tear
    Your system has to work harder to keep running, especially when it has to keep restarting. This means you AC system is going to undergo a lot of wear and tear. This can result in a lot of system damage and repair costs.
  • It affects your comfort
    While not as big of a deal as the other 2, your AC isn’t going to provide you with the level of comfort you deserve if it’s constantly short cycling.

Why is your air conditioner short cycling?

There are quite a few reasons why your AC unit is short cycling. It may be a simple issue that you can easily resolve on your own, like a dirty air filter that just needs to be cleaned or replaced. You may need something fixed or replaced that requires the attention of a trained professional HVAC technician.

If you’re unsure of what’s causing your air conditioner short cycling, contact the experts at A-Abel. We’ll get your AC unit back into working condition, as good as new!