Why Is My AC Short Cycling in Cathedral City, CA?

Your air conditioner should cool your home evenly and sufficiently with each cycle. If the system cycles briefly, shuts off and comes back on, it is experiencing short cycling. Read on to learn more about some causes of AC short cycling in your Cathedral City, CA home.

Dirty Air Filter

A clogged air filter can make your air conditioner work harder to provide cold air for your house. As the AC struggles against the blocked filter, it may start to overheat, causing it to shut down. Once it cools, it may restart in an attempt to cool the house, resulting in frequent short cycles.

Refrigerant Leak

Without refrigerant, your air conditioner cannot remove heat from your home successfully. The system will attempt to create cold air and work too hard because of the lowered refrigerant level, eventually getting too stressed or hot. It then powers down and tries again shortly after.

Frozen Coils

Frozen coils mean your AC cannot release the heat it has absorbed from inside your home. The system will begin a cycle and try to perform, and then it may overheat. When the AC gets too hot, internal controls power it down before the cycle finishes.

Electrical Issues

Loose electrical connections can cause your air conditioner to stop cycling before your home cools completely. The system may then cycle on again quickly and repeat this on-and-off process continuously.

Incorrect Size

If your AC is too large for your home, it will likely reach the thermostat’s set temperature before the cycle is complete. This can also contribute to uneven temperatures throughout the house. It’s crucial to have an air conditioning system that fits the size and layout of your home to prevent short cycling.

Allowing short cycling to continue for extended periods may cause an increase in your monthly energy bills. If you need skilled AC repair services due to short cycling, call Palm Desert Air Conditioning and Heating Co. in Cathedral City, CA.

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