Your air conditioner should complete a full cycle, bringing your home in Gulf Breeze, FL to the desired temperature before it shuts off. If your AC system stops and starts more frequently than normal and fails to adequately cool your home, there’s a problem. Learn more about the common causes of short cycling below.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
The air filter inside your cooling system traps dust and debris, keeping these contaminants out of circulation. When buildup clogs the filter, your AC may be unable to push cold air through to your vents. Check your filter often, and change or clean it regularly to prevent this stress on your system.
Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant helps your AC create cold air. If you have a refrigerant leak, the system is unable to transfer heat as needed and may cycle off once it senses there’s not enough coolant. Refrigerant leaks are hazardous and require immediate professional intervention.
Thermostat Issues
Your thermostat tells your air conditioner when to turn on and off based on the temperature of your home. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated or sending correct signals to the AC, you might experience short cycles.
Frozen Coils
The evaporator coils inside your AC may freeze due to faulty heat exchange and stressful working conditions. When the coils freeze, the AC can’t produce cold air and may cycle off prematurely. If your coils freeze, power off the AC, and give them time to thaw. If they freeze again, it’s time to call for a service visit.
Oversized Air Conditioner
An oversized cooling system short cycles as it cools your home to the desired temperature very quickly. However, there will be areas that remain warm or more humid, because the system shuts down before it has completed the job. When purchasing a new air conditioner, it’s important to consult with our professional service techs and make sure you have the right size system for your home.
Short-cycling air conditioners experience more stress and strain than those that cycle normally, which can put your system out of service. Contact Lunsford Air Conditioning & Heating today to stop short cycling and schedule AC repairs for your Gulf Breeze cooling system.
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