Once I purchased my first home, I realized that I needed to do my part in caring for my home appliances. In addition to reading the user manuals for my kitchen appliances and state-of-the-art plumbing system, I realized that I also needed to do a little research about HVAC. Because I had no experience with HVAC systems, I called out a professional to teach me a thing or two. It was fascinating to talk with him, and I was able to take notes about all kinds of important topics, such as maintenance, troubleshooting, and even shopping for a new system. This blog is all about understanding HVAC guidelines.
Understanding HVAC Guidelines
Air Conditioning Unit Short Cycling? 4 Things to Know
Marilou Girard
Your air conditioner is designed to run for an extended period before it turns off. It should only turn on and off a few times an hour; if it is turning off more than that, your unit is probably experiencing an issue that is known as short cycling. When your unit is short cycling, it can cause damage to your unit.
If your unit is short cycling, there are multiple things that you can do to stop the issue and get your unit working more effectively.
Start By Checking the Air Filter
You will want to start by checking the air filter, as a clogged air filter is a common cause of short cycling. You need good airflow through your unit for it to work effectively. If you have not cleaned the air filter in a while, open it up, pull out the air filter, and clean it. Often, that is all that is needed to get your unit working correctly again.
Pay Attention to Thermostat Placement
Pay attention to where the thermostat is placed in your home. If you have placed the thermostat in a new location, ensure that it isn't too close to a heat source or too close to another register where it is getting hit with too much cold air. If the thermostat isn't able to get an accurate temperature reading, your unit can short cycle.
If you have not changed the thermostat's location recently or have moved anything near it that could impact the temperature reading, you will want to test the thermostat to ensure that it is working correctly and isn't shorting out.
Examine Refrigerant Levels
To provide your home with cool air, your unit needs refrigerant. Refrigerant should be self-contained within your unit. However, refrigerants can leak out over time as hoses and connectors wear down in your unit. That is why if your unit is short cycling, you are going to want to have a repair technician check the refrigerant level. If the refrigerant is low, the technician will need to find the leak and add new refrigerant to your unit to get the cool air flowing again and prevent short cycling.
Check the Compressor
You are going to want to check the compressor. A compressor usually doesn't just fail, it tends to fade out gradually. As it starts to fail, you may notice that your system starts to short cycle. A technician can check on the compressor to see if it is failing and if it needs to be replaced.
Short cycling of your air conditioning unit is a serious issue that you shouldn't ignore. It can wear down your unit and cause damage if the issue behind it is not addressed. A repair technician can figure out what is causing the issue and stop it before your unit sustains further damage. Keep these tips in mind when looking for air conditioning repair services near you.
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