One of the most common air conditioner problems that our customers call us to deal with is short-cycling. Have you ever faced short-cycling problems with your air conditioner? That is, when your air conditioner turns on and off in rapid cycles. This issue is a symptom of several possible problems with your air conditioner, and it can cause further problems if you don’t address it immediately.
While some reasons for short-cycling could require a simple fix, other problems are too complex to deal with on your own. We recommend calling experts for air conditioning repair in Fairfax, VA to come and deal with it.
This post will discuss what short-cycling is and why it’s bad for your air conditioner to help you understand the importance of dealing with it immediately.
Understanding Short-Cycling
Short-cycling is a term used in the HVAC industry to refer to when an air conditioner or heat pump starts turning on and off without completing its cooling cycle. If the air conditioner is completely fine, the unit powers up the compressor and keeps it running until it can achieve the temperature set in your thermostat. Once it meets the temperature, it turns off the condenser until it goes higher than the set temperature.
A short-cycling air conditioner powers the compressor, but it stops the compressor before it can complete the cooling cycle. The unit will then start the compressor quickly and repeat the process constantly without providing sufficient cooling. When the compressor keeps turning on and off like this, it can cause problems for your air conditioner.
Short-cycling can be caused by several problems, including:
- Dirty or clogged air filter
- Malfunctioning thermostat
- Air leaking through damaged ventilation
- Refrigerant leaks causing low refrigerant levels
- An over- or under-sized air conditioner
Replacing the air filter in your air conditioner can be an easy remedy. We recommend changing it once every 1–3 months when using the air conditioner regularly, but the other issues require professional repairs.
Why Short-Cycling Is Bad for Your AC
Short-cycling is not an issue you should take lightly. It is a sign that there could be several problems with your air conditioner. When the compressor constantly turns on and off, it can cause a lot of strain on this critical component in your AC.
All the additional strain on your air conditioner causes it to use more power than it would if it was working normally. It means that your AC will require expensive repairs, and it will waste a lot of electricity that can cause a spike in your utility bills.
Eventually, the strain on your AC caused by short-cycling can lead to a complete breakdown.
Call The Experts Immediately
If your air conditioner is short-cycling or any strange noises come from the unit that you shouldn’t hear, your air conditioner might have a serious problem. Ignoring the problem will only make things worse and lead to costlier repairs. Call the experts immediately to get an fast solution to the problem, and that’s where we come in at AllTech Services Inc.
Contact AllTech Services, Inc. today for expert AC services.