If you’re like most home or business owners, you probably don’t pay much attention to your air conditioning system—that is, until something goes wrong—such as your air conditioner constantly switching on and off.

Short cycling is the term used to describe when your AC constantly switches on and off and it is one of the most common problems air conditioners encounter. And while short cycling might not seem like a big issue, it can cause serious damage to your AC if you don’t address the problem right away. Learn everything you need to know about short cycling and what you can do about it, here:

What is Short Cycling?

In order to maintain a comfortable temperature, air conditioners go through on and off cycles. But when something goes wrong within your AC, these cycles can be affected and occur faster and more frequently. While there are lots of things that can cause short cycling, in most cases it indicative of a bigger underlying issue that should be addressed sooner rather than later or you run the risk of damaging your AC.

What Causes Short Cycling?

There are many factors that can cause your air conditioning system to short cycle, but these are typically the biggest culprits:

A Dirty Air Filter: As you know, you should change your air filter regularly to avoid dirt, dust and the like from accumulating. When air filters are left by the wayside, your AC has to work harder to create a comfy temperature for your home or business. As a result of working in overdrive, parts of your AC can overheat and cause the system to short cycle.

Low Refrigerant Levels: Refrigerant is necessary to cool your home or business. Without it, your system won’t be able to cool effectively and it will have to work harder to create a comfortable temperature. This puts excess strain on your system and can cause short cycling.

An Improperly Sized System: Air conditioners are not a one-size-fits-all deal. Your home or business needs an AC that is an appropriate size or it won’t be able to provide efficient cooling. And when it comes to air conditioning, bigger isn’t always better. If your AC is too big for your home, it will essentially cool your home too quickly—resulting in short cycling and inconsistent temperatures.

Stop Short Cycling With One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Clearwater

If your air conditioning system is short cycling, then your home or business isn’t as comfortable as it could be. Even worse, you could be wasting energy and money every day. The professional team at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Clearwater combines years of experience to solve your HVAC problems, including short cycling. Give us a call today at (727) 245-0378 and one of our team members will quickly diagnose and assess the issue and get your home to its optimal comfort level.