“My air conditioner keeps turning on and off,” one of our clients recently told us. Over the last 20+ years, we can’t tell you how many times our clients have had this very same complaint.
When you come home from a satisfying day in the city, all you want is for your A/C to blow strong and long. We understand what it’s like for an air conditioner to turn on and off — and on and off again.
You’ve probably thought to yourself at one point or another, “Do I replace the HVAC system itself? Is the issue with the air filters? What about the evaporator coils?”
If you allow a short-cycling air conditioner to continue for long periods of time, you might see a rise in energy bills or flat out need a new air conditioner.
If you notice your air conditioner turning on and off again — or short-cycling, as the phenomenon is called — this article is for you.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss:
- What short cycling is (and why an air conditioner keeps turning on and off)
- What causes short cycling
- Parts that are related to short-cycling
- The role of an air conditioning repair team in troubleshooting an air conditioner that short cycles
3 Components involved in short cycling A/Cs
| 1. Air filters 2. Compressors 3. Thermostats |
Short cycling
When your air conditioner repeatedly turns on and off without completing a full cooling cycle — short cycling, as it’s called — the air conditioner shuts off the compressor before the A/C is supposed to shut off. The air conditioner then turns itself back on again and repeats the process.
When short cycling occurs, your air conditioner wastes tons of energy and places stress on the air conditioner’s components. The compressor is especially susceptible to wear and tear when the A/C short cycles.
If you notice your air conditioner is short-cycling, you’ll want to schedule an air conditioning repair in your living space, as an air conditioning repair team has the tools, knowledge, and experience to diagnose and nip the problem in the bud.
What causes short cycling (and keeps turning A/Cs on and off)
But, what exactly causes short cycling? You might wonder.
The most common causes of a short-cycling air conditioner are the following:
- A clogged air filter
- A damaged compressor
- A faulty thermostat
Clogged air filters
When your air conditioner becomes clogged with dirt and debris, airflow becomes restricted in the air conditioner. For example, hot air becomes trapped in the system, which can cause an air conditioner to overheat and shut down.
An air conditioner shuts down as a protection mechanism to keep the air conditioner safe. When the system cools down, the air conditioner will start back up again.
Then, the cycle repeats.
To fix an air conditioner with clogged air filters, we recommend changing out air filters every one to three months and doing so during the summer season. A quick switcheroo of air filters will allow air to circulate through the A/C system with greater ease.
Compressors (and their role in short cycling)
A compressor’s job is to push refrigerant gas through an air conditioner, that is, after the refrigerant evaporates in the evaporator coil. The evaporator coil then absorbs any remaining heat.
But, did you know that compressors also help keep the rhythm of the air conditioner so that the air conditioner can absorb more heat out of the home during its operation?
A compressor can become damaged if it ices over or if liquid refrigerant makes its way into the compressor’s chambers.
The result? A malfunctioning compressor, can lead an air conditioning system to short-cycle.
Malfunctioning thermostats and short cycling
Last but not least, we turn to thermostats. Thermostats can lead an air conditioner to turn on and off, so issues with the thermostat can lead to short cycling.
What’s more, if the wiring between an air conditioner and its thermostat is in disrepair — or if the thermostat is miscalibrated — the air conditioner can short-cycle.
The reason is that your thermostat may not register the temperature in your home. When the A/C unit can’t recognize the temperature in your home, your air conditioner will start and stop in an effort to reach its desired temperature.
Did you know?
Speaking of thermostats, did you know that you can control your A/C with your smartphone? Honeywell and Nest make a full line of exceptional, easy-to-use thermostats that are functional and surprisingly fun to use.
With the HVAC market expecting to see an increase in thermostats according to Dataintelo.com (2024), smart thermostats may be the way of the future.
Check out what these bad boys look like in action on our Facebook page.
The role of HVAC repair teams with short-cycling air conditioners
For a short cycling air conditioning system, you can fix the A/C unit yourself. But, be aware that the hassle and stress with doing so may not make financial sense.
Sometimes, the job will cost less — and be done right the first time — with a professional.
Whether your A/C isn’t blowing cold air or it’s turning on and off over and over again, you’ll want to keep a reliable A/C repair and maintenance crew’s contact information on hand.
If you live or work in the Sarasota, Florida region and need help with your A/C or HVAC system, give the Straightforward Professionals at Streamline Heating and Air a call.
We’d be happy to offer you a no-cost, risk-free heating and A/C estimate for all your A/C installation and repair needs. For streamlined service and simplified A/C repairs, contact us today.
