Why Does My AC Keep Turning Off? These Are the Most Likely Reasons
Each time your air conditioner starts up, it should run for several minutes before shutting down again. The complete process is known as a cooling cycle, and it’s key to how your HVAC system generates comfortable indoor temperatures. So if you’ve noticed your AC keeps turning off, comfort can be harder to maintain.
There are several reasons why your air conditioner keeps switching off, but one of the most common culprits is short cycling. This irritating HVAC problem involves cooling cycles that aren’t long enough to make efficient use of your air conditioner. It may keep switching off before your home has a chance to cool down. We’ll review a few details of what short cycling is and where it comes from. Then, we’ll provide a few more separate reasons your cooling equipment keeps turning off.
Your Air Conditioner Might Be Short Cycling
When an air conditioner short cycles, it switches off before reaching the set temperature. It may not be long before the thermostat recognizes this and instructs the AC to turn on again. But since there’s a problem, the air conditioner will continue to short cycle. This may extend the time needed to cool your home while placing extra strain on important components. If left alone too long, short cycling might even lead to premature system failure.
5 Problems That Could Lead to Your Air Conditioner Short Cycling
Another frustrating aspect of short cycling is the number of possible causes. In general, a lot of short-cycling issues can be caused by overheating. But the excess heat could just be the symptom of another unknown problem. During air conditioner repair, a technician will look for a few of the most common things to start narrowing down the root cause.
- Overheating: High heat can ruin components inside your air conditioner. Safety features should detect overheating and shut the AC off to protect key parts. But if the original problem hasn’t been addressed, this process just starts over again.
- Poor Airflow: Your HVAC system requires proper airflow to function at safe, optimal temperatures. When the air filter or ductwork is clogged, poor circulation can47] lead to overheating, which means short cycling.
- Wrong AC Sizing: HVAC equipment should be properly “sized” for your home. This means that the power of your air conditioner fits the cooling needs of your home. An air conditioning system that’s too powerful will pump out cool air too quickly, tricking the system into shutting off early before the entire house is cooled down.
- Dirty Condenser Coils: This component dissipates the heat collected from inside your home. When the coils get too dirty, this heat may end up in the air conditioner. The high levels of heat might be enough to trigger a premature shutdown.
- Thermostat location: The thermostat should be in a convenient location away from a vent or the HVAC equipment itself. This ensures every room of the house has cooling for long enough to reach the set temperature. Putting your thermostat too close to cool air can trick it into thinking the temperature has been reached earlier.
Short cycling is a complicated problem ideal for the tools and knowledge of a professional technician. But there are still other reasons your air conditioner might be shutting off unexpectedly. Let’s take a look.
A Few Other Reasons Your AC Keeps Turning Off
Electrical Malfunction: Any number of malfunctions with the wiring or an electrical switch could lead to a steady stream of shutdowns. Maybe the wiring is old or damaged, but electrical problems may need professional care for a prompt, safe solution.
Compressor Failure: This important component applies pressure to force heat out of the refrigerant before it’s removed from your home. When the component fails, a safety switch should recognize the pressure change and force the air conditioner to shut off.
Refrigerant Leak: Your refrigerant holds and releases heat, making it one of the most important parts in your HVAC system. A leak can be catastrophic, as the coils designed to hold the coolant are expensive to replace. It’s important to respond quickly if you suspect a leak to prevent premature air conditioning replacement.
Clogged Condensate Line: When humidity is condensed into moisture during the cooling process, the condensate line safely drains it away. When the line or drain pan is clogged up, a float switch shuts off the AC before half of it is running underwater.
If your air conditioner is short cycling, call a professional technician with Chief/Bauer Service Experts. They can quickly determine the root cause, working toward a solution that protects the rest of your HVAC system from the wear and tear of short cycling. To schedule an appointment or request an appointment, call 217-689-2469 today.
