Learning About Commercial Air Conditioning Units

Air Conditioner Short Cycling: Learn Why It's Happening

8 July 2018

Floyd Carroll

Have you noticed an issue with your central air conditioning where it runs for short periods of time before stopping, then starting back up again without much downtime? This is called short cycling, and it can lead to expensive air conditioning repair bills. Here are some common reasons that short cycling is happening.

Clogged Air Filter

One of the reasons that dirty air filters are the cause of short cycling is because they can restrict the airflow. With the wait trapped in the air handler, it will cause the condenser coils to eventually freeze. The entire unit will shut down while the coils defrost, then the unit turns back on, and the short cycling repeats again. As long as air cannot get through the filter, it will continue to cause the condenser coil to freeze.

Leaking Refrigerant

Another problem that causes freezing coils is a leak in its refrigerant line. It causes the same problem with the unit turning off and back on quickly. You'll need to have the leak in your AC refrigerant line repaired, which is done by putting a dye into the lines to find the leak. Once repaired, you can recharge the system with more refrigerant.

Filthy Condenser Coil 

That condenser coil can also freeze because it is dirty. Dust, dirt, and debris can collect on the coil, which does not allow the coil to remove the heat from the air. The coil freezes up as a result, and the system shuts down. If you don't clean the coils, the problems will continue to repeat over and over again.

Oversized Air Conditioner

If you just had a new air conditioner installed, you may have purchased a system that is too big for your home. What happens is the system produces cold air very quickly, which also cools down your home quickly. The thermostat triggers the air to turn off, but because the system didn't run long enough, the temperature quickly rises to turn the air conditioning back on. Your home will never feel comfortable since the home never stays at the right temperature for long.

Incorrect Thermostat Placement

Don't make the mistake of putting the thermostat in a place where it gets direct sunlight. It can make the thermostat reach hotter temperatures than normal, which triggers the air conditioner prematurely. When clouds move in front of the sun and the temperature drops, the air conditioner turns off. It creates a cycle where the system constantly turns off and on.

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