As temperatures begin to rise during the summer here in Massachusetts, you might find yourself relying more and more on your air conditioner to keep your home cool and comfortable. When you are running your air conditioner all the time, it is bound to develop some kind of problems that you have to deal with.
One of the most common air conditioning problems that homeowners face here is short cycling. This post will tell you about short cycling, what causes it, and what problems it can create so you can understand the importance of calling us for air conditioning repair in Andover, MA, to resolve the problem before it gets worse.
What is Short Cycling?
Short cycling is a term used in the HVAC industry to describe when an air conditioner repeatedly turns on and off without completing its cooling cycle. The air conditioner becomes stuck in the start-up cycle and keeps doing this without completing a full cycle.
If your air conditioner is working fine, the unit will power up the compressor and keep running it until the indoor temperature meets the temperature set on your thermostat. The unit then powers down the compressor until there is a need to turn the compressor back on and cool down the house again.
When your AC is short cycling, the compressor powers down too quickly before completing the cooling cycle, it restarts in a short time and repeats this process, making the compressor work harder than it should to keep your home cool.
What Causes Short Cycling?
Short cycling can be a symptom of several problems with your air conditioner and it can become a source of problems for your unit. Here are some of the possible problems that could be causing your air conditioner to short cycle:
- Low refrigerant levels due to a leak
- An air conditioner that is too big or too small for your house
- Air escaping through damaged ventilation
- Clogged air filter restricting airflow
- Malfunctioning thermostat
Replacing the air filter is a routine maintenance practice that can prevent your air conditioner from short cycling. You should consider changing the air filter once every 1-3 months, depending on how much you use it. The rest of the problems require expert help that you can only get from professional technicians.
The Consequences of Short Cycling
If you ignore the short cycling problem, it can lead to other possible issues you might have to deal with later.
Air conditioners use the most power when they are powering up the compressor. When your system is stuck in a short cycle loop, your air conditioner will draw far too much power than it should. Starting up and powering down too frequently can cause a lot of strain for your air conditioner’s compressor, making it wear down much faster than it should.
A worn-down compressor will eventually overheat and break down, leading to very expensive repairs. If you ignore the problem for long enough, your AC might experience a complete breakdown and require a replacement.
What Can You Do if Your AC is Short Cycling?
The best thing that you can do to prevent any problems with your air conditioner short cycling is to call a professional to examine your unit, find out what is causing it to short cycle, and repair it before it leads to more expensive repairs.
Contact Cooling Unlimted, Inc. today to schedule an appointment for your cooling.
