When the heat outside gets a little crazy, we can thank our trusty air conditioning units for keeping us cool and happy. However, this is an ideal situation. Sometimes, your air conditioner might not be working properly. And the heat from rage over this will surely not help with the apparent heat in the air. So, what can you do?
Well, sometimes people can get complacent with their air conditioning situation. “As long as it works” isn’t enough. Air conditioners can often be prone to short-cycling, which is when your air conditioner frequently turns off and on. So, if you start to notice your unit doing this, take action, else a total breakdown is likely to happen in the future.
Causes of Short Cycling
There are a couple of things that can cause short cycling in your air conditioning. Some cases can be easily remedied, while others need additional professional attention. Here are three of the major causes of short cycling in air conditioning units.
- You Have a Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak can cause your air conditioner to short cycle. When you have a refrigerant leak, there would be less refrigerant to remove the heat from inside the house. It could also lead to a build-up of ice in the evaporator coil. These can put a lot of strain on your air conditioning system and lead to short cycling.
Luckily, you won’t have to replace your whole air conditioning system to fix this problem. The moment you notice a refrigerant leak, acquire air conditioning services to repair the leak. We know many people might opt to put off the repair because they don’t want to spend money, but letting the problem continue isn’t better. You might think you can live with your air conditioning short cycling, and maybe you can, but your air conditioner surely can’t.
Keeping the refrigerant leak unaddressed will lead the system to break down. And replacing an entire system is definitely more costly than having a leak repaired in time.
- Your AC Is the Wrong Size
One thing you should consider when purchasing an air conditioner is its size. When the system is too small to cool your house down, it will tend to work harder and overheat. On the other hand, if the system is too large, it will cool the house too quickly. Both cases can lead to short cycling and damage. So, before you purchase an air conditioning unit, make sure to double-check with a professional first to see if it’s the appropriate size.
- Your Air Filter Needs Changing
Some causes of short cycling might not actually be that big. It could be as simple as regularly changing your air filter. Air filters protect the air conditioner by keeping pollutants out. When your air filter is too dirty, it will cause the airflow to be restricted and lead to overheating. And overheated units would tend to short cycle. So, to avoid short cycling, make regularly changing your air filter a habit.
Final Thoughts
Don’t wait until it’s too late to take action on your air conditioning problems. The best way to ensure your air conditioning system lasts you a long time is to take proper care of it and attend to issues the minute you notice them. One way to take care of your air conditioning system is to have an HVAC professional regularly maintain it.
For an easier way to take advantage of air conditioning services in Muncie, IN, you can check out the Good Guys Home Services App. Good Guys Home Services offers heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services from skilled technicians in your area. Download the app now to get started!
