When your air conditioner operates normally, it will cycle itself on and off consistently. It should not cycle constantly. It also should not turn itself on and off frequently. You may need to check these 10 factors when your AC cycles constantly or short runs.
1. Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can explain why your air conditioner short runs or cycles frequently. It prevents your AC from blowing out air effectively in your home. It causes the system to overwork and cycle more frequently in an attempt to maintain the temperature at which you have set the thermostat.
2. Faulty Thermostat
When the thermostat malfunctions, it can cause your AC to short run and cycle more often than usual. Your system tries to reach the temperature and must work harder, all the while using more energy. You can prevent constant cycling and short runs by having an HVAC technician take out the faulty thermostat and replace it with a new one.
3. Low Refrigerant
A technician can also check and refill the refrigerant in your air conditioner. Low refrigerant levels prevent your AC from cooling air effectively. Your system has to work harder to try to keep your house cool. When your AC experiences short runs or cycles non-stop, you should call an HVAC technician to check and refill the refrigerant.
4. Faulty Low-pressure Switch
A bad low-pressure switch in the air conditioner will also cause frequent cycling and short runs. The solution involves having a licensed technician take out and replace this part. As its name implies, this switch turns off your AC when the air pressure gets too low. Replacing it can prevent your air conditioner from cycling constantly or short runs.
5. Faulty Compressor
Like a faulty low-pressure switch, a malfunctioning compressor can contribute to these common AC problems. The compressor circulates and pressurizes refrigerant gas to cool your home’s indoor air temperature and remove heat. When it stops working normally, your AC cannot maintain your set thermostat temperature. An AC technician can replace a faulty compressor for you.
6. Dirty Condenser Coils
The compressor releases the heat it absorbs from inside your house in the unit’s condenser coils. When these coils get dirty, it prevents the compressor from doing its normal job. In turn, your AC will try to compensate for the heat in your house by working harder. A technician can clean the condenser coils to restore their normal function.
7. Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils absorb moisture and heat from the air inside your home and help the AC produce cool air. However, they can freeze and stop working as they should. When your AC does not turn itself off or cycles more frequently than normal, you should have a technician inspect and thaw the evaporator coils if they become frozen.
8. Leaky Ductwork
Cool air can escape your home through openings around your AC’s ductwork. You should check the ductwork and make sure it remains properly sealed. Keeping openings sealed with weatherstripping helps keep cool air in your home and prevents problems like short runs and frequent cycling.
9. Oversized Unit
An oversized unit can easily experience problems like these. To ensure yours does not experience issues like short runs, you should make sure it accommodates the layout of your home. Using the right-size AC also saves you money because it will use less energy to keep your home cool.
10. Faulty Electrical Circuit
Finally, a bad electrical circuit can cause your AC to cycle more often than usual or short run. An HVAC technician can check the electrical circuits and wiring in your unit and replace those that no longer function safely or reliably.
Rely on Us for Your Home’s AC Services
Our team at JW Mitchell Heating & Air Conditioning has 30 years of combined AC service experience. We excel at providing high-quality, prompt and reliable installation, maintenance and repairs for your home’s air conditioner. We also service heating systems and offer indoor air quality solutions. Our team designs our services to have minimal impact on the environment. The technicians working for us also use the most advanced technological resources to make your home comfortable year-round.
Our team at JW Mitchell Heating & Air Conditioning can repair problems that cause your Costa Mesa AC to short run or cycle frequently. Contact our company to learn more!
