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Commander Air Inc. Blog

What Short Cycling Means For Your AC

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Your AC turns on, and you feel the relief as your room begins to cool. But then the air conditioner shuts off, and the room starts to heat up again quickly. Then the fan kicks on again, only to shut off shortly afterward.

The process repeats indefinitely and your AC never seems to stop running while your house never stays cool for long.

Sound familiar? You may be dealing with short cycling. This is a common problem that affects homeowners and businesses throughout Florida. Read on to learn more about short cycling and how it affects your home.

If you recognize any of these warning signs, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and schedule AC repair in Pace, FL.

What Is Short Cycling?

Short cycling is a term that describes a problem with the cooling process occurring inside your air conditioning unit. In the simplest terms, short cycling refers to what happens when the air conditioner shuts off before it’s completed the full cooling cycle.

Usually, this cooling process lasts around 15 minutes, but a short-cycling system could shut off after 5 or 10. It will likely kick back on and repeat this cycle as it tries to reach the desired temperature on your thermostat.

There are several reasons why you may encounter this problem. Some of the most common causes of short cycling include:

  • A dirty or clogged AC filter that is obstructing airflow.
  • A dirty evaporator coil causing the system to overheat.
  • A refrigerant leak preventing proper heat removal.
  • An oversized air conditioner that can’t properly cool a home.

Why Is Short Cycling a Bad Thing?

While short cycling might not seem like such a big deal, it actually carries a lot of negative consequences.

  • Higher energy bills: Because your air conditioner starts a new cycle before completing the last, your system draws more power only to underperform. This ultimately requires your AC to run for longer, which costs you more for the same end result.
  • Greater risk of damage: Energy costs are bad enough, but the additional strain on an air conditioner can cause it to break down long before the end of its lifespan. Left untreated, dirty evaporator coils or an unchanged air filter can result in serious damage.
  • Less efficient temperature control: Your air conditioner is not as powerful or effective as it could be when it is short cycling. This negatively impacts your home’s temperature, lowers your comfort, and even reduces indoor air quality.

The Importance of Short Cycling Repairs

If you think your AC is short cycling, scheduling professional repairs right away is crucial. Not only will this reduce the likelihood of other costly damages, but you can spare yourself from hefty energy bills and discomfort as well.

As with any AC repair, sooner is better than later. Even minor problems can spiral into expensive repairs or even replacements without intervention. If you’d like to speak with a professional technician about getting your air conditioner inspected, we’re always here to help.

Your hometown heating and cooling specialist for three generations. Contact Commander Air Inc. for your system repairs today.

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