LICENSED & INSURED / CAC 1819994LICENSED & INSURED / CAC 1819994
There are numerous possible reasons why your air conditioner keeps turning on and off repeatedly, including compressor issues or short cycling, a clogged air filter, or a refrigerant leak.
In today's blog post, we will briefly discuss the most common reasons why you are experiencing this problem with your air conditioning system. Read on.
Sometimes, simple things like setting the wrong temperature can cause short cycling. So, be sure to check if you have properly set the temperature.
The location of the thermostat can also be a factor. Check if it is too close to the air vent or near a window with direct sunlight.
What you can do: Addressing the location of your thermostat is relatively easy. You just need to find a more centralized location to avoid a never-ending "on-and-off battle" with your air conditioner.
When to call a professional: You should call a professional when you are dealing with a faulty thermostat that requires repair or replacement. A licensed HVAC technician can also help you find the best location for your thermostat.
[Read this article to learn more about troubleshooting a Rheem thermostat]
Clogged air filters are another possible reason why your air conditioner turns on and off constantly. A clogged air filter restricts proper airflow, which can lead to several AC problems, including short cycling.
What you can do: You can try cleaning or replacing the air filter to help your air conditioner run at its best.
When to call a professional: You should call a professional if your AC unit is still malfunctioning after replacing the air filter.
[Read this article to learn more about replacing your air filter]
If you have not performed HVAC maintenance for a long time, it is possible that your condenser unit is clogged with dirt and debris. Like air filters, this can affect the overall performance of your AC system and can cause short cycling.
What you can do: Check the condenser unit for possible wear and tear. Try cleaning the condenser coils to see if there are improvements in your air conditioner.
When to call a professional: If cleaning the condenser coils does not solve the problem, it is time to call an HVAC professional.
If your short cycling problems began after installing a new air conditioner, then it might be size issues. An oversized air conditioning system usually encounters an inappropriate refrigerant cycle. This can lead to several air conditioning problems. including short cycling.
If you notice your air conditioner turns on and off after 8 to 10 minutes, you may have an oversized air conditioner. In addition to short cycling, here are other problems you may encounter with an oversized AC unit:
Higher energy bills
Costly repairs
Wear and tear
What you can do: There are AC size calculators online you can use to determine the right size you need for your home or property.
When to call a professional: If you suspect your HVAC is too large for your home, a professional HVAC technician can help accurately measure, determine whether this is the case, and install a properly sized unit.
Your AC unit requires consistent refrigerant levels to function properly. Any problem with the refrigerant line can make your HVAC system malfunction.
A refrigerant leak, for example, can cause the compressor to shut down because the pressure is too low. As the compressor shuts off, the pressure will rise again, turning the AC on. This leads to short cycling, which can also cause significant wear to the whole unit.
What you can do: Dealing with refrigerant leaks requires extensive experience. So, when you suspect leaks, be sure to call a licensed professional right away!
When to call a professional: ALWAYS call a professional when you suspect any refrigerant leak.
Compressor failure is another common reason why your AC keeps on turning on and off repeatedly. Lack of refrigerant, dirty or frozen evaporator coils and contamination are some of the factors that cause your compressor to overheat or malfunction.
What you can do: Your safest bet to avoid further AC problems is to have your unit inspected by a professional.
When to call a professional: This problem also requires an experienced technician. So, be sure to call your local HVAC contractor to address this issue.
Frozen evaporator coils can cause airflow issues and leaks that can affect the cycling of your air conditioner.
What you can do: Inspect your outside unit for ice buildup. If the problem is a dirty filter, then you can try cleaning or replacing it.
When to call a professional: In case the problem is refrigerant leaks, you need to call an ac repair expert to fix the problem.
Electrical issues are another possible reason why your AC keeps turning on and off. While this is usually caused by problems in the supply line or the capacitor, it might be also due to a bad thermostat placement or the circuit boards.
What you can do: Diagnosing this problem is not easy. For your own safety, call a licensed HVAC professional.
When to call a professional: ALWAYS call a licensed technician when dealing with electrical issues on your HVAC system!
The main objective of the capacitor is to supply the initial power of your air conditioner. When this malfunctions, it can cause your unit shut down unexpectedly and then switch back on again. If your air conditioner turns on and off after a few seconds (mostly after 30 seconds), you might be dealing with a bad run capacitor.
What you can do: This AC problem also requires a professional ac repair service for your safety and to avoid further problems.
When to call a professional: Again, it is ALWAYS advisable to leave it to the experts when dealing with a malfunctioning capacitor.
Keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape with the help of Comfort Air! We are a proud Rheem Pro partner and we are always ready to help and serve! Call us today at (813) 413-1726 for a FREE quote!
