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Why Does My AC Keep Shutting Off

The compressor of your air conditioner works in cycles, turning itself on and off to maintain a constant cooling level in a room. But if this happens too frequently, the unit is said to be short cycling and you need AC repair services. Here are some reasons why it happens.

There Is An Issue With The Evaporator Coils In Your Air Conditioner

The evaporator coil in your air conditioner is responsible for transferring heat from inside the room to the outside. If for some reason, such as if your evaporator coil is covered in dust, this process cannot take place in a sufficiently proper manner leading to overheating of the air conditioning unit, and the compressor shutting down as a result.

You Have Low Level Of Refrigerant Flowing Through The Condenser Pipes

When your AC unit has less than the required amount of refrigerant flowing through it, there is a risk of the fluid flowing back into the HVAC compressor due to negative pressure building up in the valves, causing it to shut down.

So there you have it. Some common reasons why your air conditioner might have started to short cycle all of a sudden. But now the question arises, what exactly does short cycling entail, and why is it considered bad for an air conditioning unit to turn itself off too often. Short cycling can have drastic effects on the performance of your air conditioning unit, not to mention its overall lifespan. Here are some of the drawbacks of using an air conditioner that short cycles too much.

The Unit Fails To Dehumidify The Room Properly And The Room Feels Icky

One of the main purposes of an air conditioner, in addition to lowering the ambient temperature, is to remove humidity from the room, as that is the main cause of that icky feeling during hot summer months. An AC that fails to do that is pretty much useless as the room will not feel comfortable enough for living conditions.

You Notice A Surge In Your Electricity Bill Due To Higher Current Draw

When the compressor turns off and on frequently, it sucks in a lot of current every time compared to if the compressor was constantly on until the desired room temperature has been reached.

The Components Inside Your Air Conditioner Wear Out Much Faster

Due to constant switching between on and off states, the compressor inside your AC is prone to more stress and will wear out much faster than its intended lifespan. This means that you will have to end up replacing either the compressor or the entire AC much sooner, and therefore it is in your best interest to ensure this problem is taken care of at the earliest.

And now the final question: with so many drawbacks to this problem, what exactly can you do to prevent such a situation from arising in the first place. Of course, as with everything, prevention is better than cure, and therefore, let us take you through our list of steps that we have compiled for you to ensure that you never end up facing such a problem ever, especially during times when the days are excruciatingly hot, and there is a dire need for air conditioning in your home. Follow the tips below to ensure your air conditioner keeps working in top order always.

  1. Make sure that there is proper insulation in the room you have the AC
  2. Ensure that your unit is big enough to handle cooling the living space
  3. Get your air conditioner properly examined from time to time

By following the above steps, you will not only ensure that you do not experience any short cycling issues, but also no other issues with your air conditioner. Moreover, with the unit working under optimal conditions, you can obtain maximum efficiency and lower your electricity bill. This will also go a long way in preventing wear and tear of your components, resulting in the equipment serving you for a long time. If for example, you notice any short cycling issue of your air conditioner, consult air conditioning companies McLean at the first sign of trouble, so that the problem can be diagnosed and repaired in time.

Categories:   Home & Garden

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