Depending on how you set your thermostat, AC systems naturally turn on and off so as to maintain the temperature. Cycling is a necessary process for ACs due to the refrigeration process. In order to cool your home, AC systems go through a cycle of changing the form of heat from liquid to gas and then gas back to liquid. In order to change the form of heat, compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation is necessary. Since compression is the key component of the cooling process, the compressor is the heart of the entire AC unit.

Determining Irregular AC Cycling

As pointed out above, cycling is a very normal operational process for HVAC systems. However, when the frequency of the cycling increases, as the homeowner, you should be worried. Within an hour, the AC system typically goes through three cooling processes on a moderate summer day. The compressor runs for about 10 minutes, shuts off and startup again after another 10 minutes.

When you realize your AC cycle becoming inconsistent and the temperature you have set in your home fluctuates more than usual, chances are high that your system is short cycling. Most homeowners report short cycling problems more often than the other system problems.

There are a number of problems that can cause your system to short cycle and below are some of the common ones.

Over-sized system

If your system is improperly sized, your AC will be more powerful for your home which means it will cool it quickly and the series of turn ons and offs will be frequent. This can cause huge temperature swings in your home, frequent repairs, and high energy bills.

Iced Evaporator Coils

When ice builds up on your evaporator coils, it causes a domino effect of issues that force your air conditioner to quickly shutdown after it turns on.

Clogged Air Filters

When your air filter is clogged, your AC system tends to work harder so as to compensate for the airflow loss. This in turn puts excess pressure on your AC components such as the compressor and blower motor causing them to overheat and make your AC short cycle.

Low Refrigerant Levels

AC units that are low on refrigerant become inefficient in cooling your home. This tends to put excess stress on the various HVAC system components thus causing short cycling.

How to Prevent Short Cycling

The best way to prevent AC short cycling is by ensuring your system is properly maintained. Scheduling a tune up exercise at least once per year can help improve the running efficiency of your system and lengthen its lifespan. As a stop gap combative measure for a short cycling system, check your air filters and ensure they are clean or changed when clogged. For the refrigerant levels and system sizing, it is recommended that you get in touch with a professional HVAC expert.