What’s With The Stops And Starts? 3 Reasons Why Your AC Is Short Cycling

Summer isn't too many months away, which means it's time to start thinking about your air conditioner. When summer finally arrives, you'll want to turn your air conditioner on as soon as you can. After sitting dormant since fall, your air conditioner might not be in the best condition. Unfortunately, that means you could be left to face some problems while you're trying to cool down your home. One problem you might experience involves short cycling. If you're not sure what that is, it's when your air conditioner turns on and off in rapid succession. If your air conditioner short cycles when you try to use it next summer, you'll need to do some troubleshooting. Here are just three of the reasons why your air conditioner might not be able to make it through a full cycle and why you'll need to call for repairs. 

Your Evaporative Coils Need Help

If your air conditioner starts short cycling next summer, the first thing you should do is head out and take a close look at your evaporative coils. Your coils should be clean and clear for maximum air flow. They should also be free of ice. If your coils are dirty, you'll want to wash them off and try running your air conditioner again. If your evaporative coils are coated in ice, you'll need to call for repairs as soon as possible. Ice formations can cause your air conditioner to overheat, which can lead to a catastrophic malfunction. 

Your Wiring is Defective 

If your air conditioner is constantly short cycling, and you can hear clicking coming from the unit, you need to have your wiring inspected. Wiring defects can cause a short circuit, which can lead to the short cycling. Unfortunately, problems with your wiring don't just affect your air conditioner. If the wiring issues aren't repaired quickly enough, you could experience an electrical fire. The minute you suspect that your air conditioner problems are being caused by wiring defects, you need to call for immediate repairs. 

Your Freon tank is Running on Empty

If your air conditioner is short cycling due to an overheated motor, your Freon tank may be running on empty. Freon is an essential component for your air conditioner. In fact, without proper Freon levels, your air conditioner can stop working altogether. When that happens, you may have no choice but to replace your entire air conditioning unit. To avoid problems associated with running your air conditioner on an empty tank, schedule a refill for late spring. That way, the levels are ready for summer.

Contact an air conditioning contractor for more information about short cycling.


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