Why Is My AC Turning On and Off Constantly?

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You don’t need to be an HVAC expert to know how your air conditioner is supposed to work. Most of the time, when it turns on, it will run for a while before turning back off. So, if yours has started turning on and off frequently, it’s likely that there is a problem you need to address.

This article will highlight some of the reasons for your AC turning on and off regularly, which is often called short cycling. To have AC repair completed, or for an AC tune up, get in touch with the experts at Berico today. Your air conditioner will be back in proper working order in no time at all!

 

Understanding Short Cycling

The problem known as short cycling occurs when an air conditioner turns off before the full cooling cycle has been completed. Then, it comes right back on only a short time later. You can think of this kind of like driving your car by constantly revving the engine up to the red line rather than just keeping steady pressure on the accelerator. It will lead to dramatic wear and tear and use far more energy than normal to cool the house.

 

Why Air Conditioners Short Cycle

Plenty of different possible explanations exist for the problem of short cycling. Those listed below are among the most common, so there is a good chance that one of these is to blame for the problems you are facing.

  • Clogged air filter. This is the best place to start because it’s such an easy fix. If your air filter hasn’t been changed in a long time, it’s almost certainly clogged and restricting airflow into the air conditioner. The system may shut down prematurely because of the strain it is under. All you need to do is pick up a new air filter, swap it in for the old one, and the issue may be resolved.
  • Thermostat issues. Your thermostat is responsible for sending the right instructions to the air conditioner. If it is malfunctioning in some way, it might be telling the AC to turn on and off faster than it should. If the thermostat is to blame, it will usually need to be replaced.
  • Oversized AC unit. It’s possible that the air conditioner in your home is actually too big for the house. When that’s the case, cooling will happen too quickly, and the thermostat will tell the system to shut off before the full cycle is finished. It might be necessary to replace the oversized unit with a smaller one if this is the problem at hand.

 

Fix This Problem Today

As an HVAC contractor serving customers in and around the Greensboro area, Berico has been a trusted option for many generations. Whether it’s a repair project or a new AC installation, you’ll be in good hands and will get excellent value for your money. Take a moment today to contact the Berico team and learn more.