A functional air conditioner should keep working until your home has achieved the desired temperature. However, if the system is faulty, it can start short cycling. This complication leads to your unit turning on and running for several minutes before shutting down and restarting again. Therefore, if your HVAC does not stay on, you may wonder about the possible causes and need to speak to a repair technician to resolve the issue. Consider these three most common reasons behind short cycling:
Mispositioned Thermostat
The thermostat's location is very important in relation to air conditioner effectiveness. For example, if you position it under a supply vent, near a window, or close to a door that leads outside, it reads temperatures that are different from the actual condition inside the home.
Sensing temperatures that are different from those of the house tricks the air conditioner into shutting down prematurely. Therefore, you need to consult with the technician and change the position of the thermostat to another part of the home. These professionals can also help when you're looking to zone different rooms to different temperatures.
Leaking Coolant
Another common cause of short cycling is when your system starts leaking coolant. The refrigerant determines how efficiently your unit cools the air in the home. As such, leaking leads to volume reduction, making the entire system work longer, overheat, and stop. The products used as refrigerants can also be harmful to your health if they leak. Therefore, it is best to hire professionals to handle refrigerant leaks.
Faulty Capacitor
The capacitor is the source of power for your air conditioning system. This component is small and cylindrical, and it sends power to the motor, which turns the fans. If it stops working, your air conditioning unit stops receiving power. You can tell whether it is functional or broken depending on whether the fan in the condenser unit is spinning.
If the fan is not spinning, use a stick to give it a little push. You need to call the technician to replace the capacitor if it starts spinning after a push. You should also consult the repair technician if the unit does not spin after the nudge because it means the capacitor is broken.
Speaking to a professional about your unit is advisable if it continually turns on and off. The expert will accurately determine what component is broken or malfunctioning and how to repair or replace it to restore the unit's functionality.
Contact a local HVAC service, such as Wright's Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., to learn more.
Share15 June 2022
Working with HVAC contractors is an important part of being a homeowner. Not only do your contractors ensure that a new system you buy is properly installed, but they also ensure optimal performance throughout the years through a series of regular inspections, maintenance services, and repairs. But there are lots of things you can do in between your contractor's visits to ensure that your HVAC investment is always in tip top condition, aside from cleaning out the air filters. After working with my dad for more than a decade in the HVAC business, I've put together a few methods homeowners can use to maintain a well working system, and I have published those tips and tricks right here on this blog. I hope some of the information you find here helps you on your journey as a homeowner!
