Nobody wants to deal with a broken down air conditioner when things start to heat up outside. What too many people do seem comfortable dealing with, however, is an air conditioner that may not be totally broken down, but which definitely is not working properly. That’s the case with a short cycling air conditioner. And make no mistake. Ignore the problem long enough, and a breakdown is likely in your future.
Today, we’re not only going to talk about what short cycling is. We’re going to talk about what causes it. Why? Because, in some cases, it’s a simple matter of user error. Others will require professional air conditioning repairs in Fort Wayne, IN. Either way, it is always good to have an idea of what you’re up against. Read on, and stop putting up with short cycling from your AC!
1. You Need to Change Your Air Filter
If you’re running into short cycling with your air conditioner, meaning that it runs only in short bursts, then you may simply need to change your air filter. We tell homeowners this all the time.
You need to change your air filter!
No, not just if your allergies are acting up. The standard air filter in your system doesn’t protect against poor indoor air quality. It does protect against AC issues by keeping pollutants out of the system, though.
You know—problems like short cycling?
If your air filter is too dirty, then your system encounters excessive airflow restriction. That leads to overheating, which can lead to short cycling as the system tries to protect itself.
2. You Have a Thermostat Issue
Replacing a whole air conditioning system isn’t something you want to do. It’s expensive. It’s a project. Sometimes it’s necessary, though. The good news is that even a serious problem like a refrigerant leak can be repaired, usually. At least, it can be when you act fast.
A refrigerant leak can make it a lot harder for your system to cool your home, because there is less refrigerant to remove heat from the house. It can also cause ice to build up on the evaporator coil. Both of these issues put a lot of excessive strain on the system and, you guessed it, can result in short cycling!
3. You Have an Improperly Sized AC
This is the one that hurts the most. If you ignore a refrigerant leak long enough, then your system could break down and require replacement. If the issue is that the system is too big or too small for your home, though, you’ll most definitely need to replace it to resolve the problem. An oversized system can cool the house too fast, causing short cycling. Doesn’t sound too bad, right? But that wastes a lot of energy and increases the risk of damages.
An undersized system will run too hard, suffering the same type of overheating and burn out issues that a very dirty filter or refrigerant leak can. We cannot stress enough how important it is to schedule your AC installation with a qualified professional!
Schedule your AC services with Collier’s Comfort. True Comfort, True Savings.