Homes in Brunswick, ME depend on reliable air conditioning throughout the stuffy summer months. Modern AC units are sturdy and reliable, providing you with true home comfort. However, an AC can suffer from a range of different issues. One of these issues is short cycling. This occurs when your air conditioning turns on and off frequently without cooling the home. More than a mere annoyance, this sign indicates that something is wrong with your system.
At Dog House, we know all about ACs and the problems they face. Our AC maintenance can help prevent short cycling. We want to help you understand short cycling, what it is, why it happens, and how to fix it. Ignoring this issue can lead to high energy bills and even worse AC issues.
Recognizing the Signs of Short Cycling
The most obvious sign of short cycling is the frequency of the cooling cycles. During normal operation, your AC should run for between 10 and 15 minutes, two or three times an hour. Short cycling occurs when the system turns on but shuts off within a few minutes. It might cycle on and off several times an hour without ever reaching your set temperature. As a result of short cycling, you’ll likely have uneven temperatures throughout the home. It may also feel more humid than usual. Short bursts of activity do not allow the unit to extract enough moisture from the air.
Checking for Airflow Obstructions
Restricted airflow is one of the most common causes of short cycling. When the system can’t pull in enough air, the internal components can overheat or freeze. This instantly shuts your AC down. As soon as the internal temperatures regulate, it starts back up. Airflow obstructions often have a simple cause that you can correct.
Clogged air filters are perhaps the most common cause of short cycling. Filters trap debris, pollen, and other airborne pollutants. However, when dust and other particulates clog your filter, your AC can’t pull in sufficient air. Without sufficient warm air flowing over them, ice can form on the evaporator coils. This can cause your AC to shut down. Then, when the ice melts, it starts back up.
You should check filters at least once per every month that your AC runs. Replacing filters that look visibly dirty can help keep air flowing to your machine and throughout your home. We can help you select better filters that improve airflow and air quality.
Check vents and return registers to ensure nothing is in the way. Keep curtains and furniture away from these. You should also check the outdoor condenser unit. It should have at least 2 feet of clearance on each side. It’s possible the obstruction is in your actual ducts. This restriction can easily cause your unit to short-cycle. In this instance, you should give us a call at Dog House. We offer duct cleaning to remove years of dust and grime. In addition to improved airflow, you’ll likely experience cleaner indoor air.
When to Call a Professional for Repair
If the above troubleshooting measures don’t correct the problem, it’s time to call the professionals. Failing capacitors, loose connections, and frayed wiring are just a few possible causes. You could also have a bad blower motor or issues with your duct network.
Low refrigerant is another common culprit. You need a professional technician to locate and repair the leak. Finally, an oversized system can cause short cycling. The only remedy for that is a new system. When we install a new system, we perform careful calculations to ensure it’s properly sized and won’t short-cycle.
Selecting the Right Company for Service
If you are dealing with a system that refuses to stay running, it is best to act quickly. At Dog House, we offer prompt and long-lasting AC repair services for any type of unit. We can work on central units, heat pumps, and ductless mini-splits. We also offer preventative AC maintenance. This can prevent issues that cause short cycling before they even start. Maintenance also helps your system run more efficiently and last longer.
Contact Dog House today for more information about AC issues in Brunswick or the surrounding area.
