When your AC is short cycling, especially in the midst of a hot, humid Ohio summer, you’ll notice the signs quickly. You hear the blowers coming on just a few minutes after they turned off, and suddenly, it starts to feel warmer in the house.
Short cycling is a common problem, but it’s one worth fixing. By figuring out what’s causing the issue and finding a solution, you can protect your AC, reduce utility costs and feel more comfortable at home.
What Is AC Short Cycling?
Short cycling happens when your AC turns on and off frequently. Because it isn’t running long enough during each cycle, you might notice your house is warmer than usual.
When it’s hot outside, short cycling is even more noticeable — and potentially more damaging to the system. Because the temperature is higher, the AC could turn on and off every few minutes as it tries to cool your house down to the thermostat setting.
What qualifies as a short cycle depends on your system and the size of your house. However, you’ll probably hear the AC kicking in more often than usual.
Risks of AC Short Cycling
If your AC is short cycling, it’s important to find the cause. If you let it go too long, especially in the heat of summer, it can lead to problems including:
- Higher utility bills: An AC uses a surge of electricity every time it turns on. When it’s turning on and off too often, your utility bills might be considerably higher than usual.
- Faster AC wear: An AC is typically designed to handle a specific number of cycles per hour. Short cycling increases this number, which puts significant wear on the internal components. Left unfixed, it can lead to a broken compressor, capacitor or motor, and the system’s lifetime could be significantly reduced.
- Uncomfortable environment: Because a short-cycling AC can’t cool your home effectively, it can increase the heat and humidity levels in your home.
Why Is My AC Short Cycling?
When your AC isn’t working efficiently, it’s helpful to do some troubleshooting. Sometimes, all it takes is a new filter or a quick cleaning to get the system running again.
Not sure what causes an AC to short cycle? Here are a few common issues.
Dirty Air Filter
Clogged air filters are a common cause of AC short cycling. When too much dirt and debris accumulate on the filter, air can’t flow freely through the system. This can cause heat to build up inside the AC, so it overheats and shuts down before it can cool your house.
A filter replacement is an easy and affordable DIY fix. First, find the filter and pull it out; if it looks dirty, swap it with a clean one. If the AC stops short cycling and starts cooling your home, you’ve probably fixed the problem.
While you’re at it, check the vents. When furniture or a pile of toys blocks a vent, it can cause similar airflow issues.
Incorrect AC Sizing
When your AC is too big for your home, it can cool one room before the rest of the house has a chance to get to the correct temperature. Then, the thermostat senses the cooler air and shuts off the system too quickly.
It’s worth checking your AC sizing if one room is cool and comfortable, but the rest of the house feels warm. You might also feel that it’s more humid than usual inside.
Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat communicates with the AC unit, telling it to turn on when the indoor temperature rises above your set point. If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it can cause the AC to turn on and off too often.
Try these quick thermostat fixes to see if they stop the short cycling:
- Change the batteries: Low batteries can cause the thermostat to malfunction.
- Check the sunlight: When your thermostat is in direct sunlight for too long, it may create falsely high temperature readings that turn the AC on too often. Try closing the curtains or blinds to block the light. If you have a smart thermostat, check the settings to see if there’s a sun-filtering option.
- Test the breaker: Make sure power is getting to your thermostat by checking the breaker box. Make sure the switch that controls the thermostat circuit isn’t flipped.
If you’re still dealing with short cycling and you think the thermostat is to blame, you might need a replacement or a repair.
AC Issues
When something’s broken or running incorrectly inside your AC, it can cause the entire system to behave unusually.
Issues that can cause short cycling include:
- Dirty condenser coil: As dirt and debris build up on and around your condenser, it can prevent airflow and cause short cycling. You can clear away the debris and bring in a professional to clean the coils.
- Blocked AC condensate line: If you can access your condensate drain line, make sure there’s nothing blocking it. A blocked line can prevent drainage and cause the system to turn on and off. You can use a shop vacuum to pull out clogged material.
- Refrigerant leaks: If refrigerant is leaking from your AC, the internal levels may be too low, causing the short cycling.
If you’ve tried every troubleshooting step and your AC is still short cycling, it’s time to call in a professional. Anderson’s HVAC technicians can diagnose the problem and provide an estimate for AC short cycling repair costs. By fixing the issue quickly, we can help you avoid expensive repairs and replacements down the line. To set up an appointment, contact us today.
