How To Fix a Short-Cycling AC: A Guide

The summer heat can be brutal, so you need an air conditioner you can rely on to keep you and your home comfortable. Even the most reliable air conditioner can break down occasionally, and a common AC issue we see is short-cycling. Short-cycling can cause several problems to your AC unit, so Blue Frost Heating & Cooling is here to explain what short-cycling is, what causes it, and how to prevent it.

Contact the Blue Frost team at (630) 444-0860 to schedule air conditioning services.

What Does It Mean if My AC Is Short-Cycling?

Short-cycling occurs when your air conditioner turns on and off more frequently than it should. This means your unit is shutting off prematurely and restarting shortly after instead of going through complete cooling cycles.

Short-cycling can lead to further issues with your air conditioner, including:

• Uneven cooling throughout your home
• Reduced energy efficiency and higher utility bills
• Increased wear and tear on your AC components

If your unit is short-cycling, it’s essential to contact an HVAC professional before the issue turns into costly repairs or your unit needs to be replaced prematurely.

Causes of Short-Cycling

Short-cycling can be an obnoxious issue. If your AC unit is short-cycling, there are several potential causes, including:

• Dirty air filters
• Leaking refrigerant
• Incorrectly sized AC unit
• Undersized ductwork
• Faulty thermostat
• Electrical issues

How To Prevent Short-Cycling

If you want to help a short-cycling AC unit or prevent short-cycling from happening in the first place, there are some steps you can take.

• Regular maintenance: Routine maintenance is the best way to take care of any HVAC system. This allows technicians to spot issues before they become more significant problems. Tune-ups also help keep your system running at peak performance.
• Check your air filters: Dirty air filters can cause more problems than expected. Checking your air filters is crucial to know when to clean or replace them. 
• Check your refrigerant levels: Short-cycling can be caused by refrigerant leaks in your unit. Checking the refrigerant levels will help you identify any leaks that need repair.

When you call the team at Blue Frost, our HVAC professionals will thoroughly inspect, diagnose, and fix the issue causing your AC to short-cycle. Our AC experts will follow the above steps and more, checking every potential cause until we find the source of the problem and repair it.

Ask us about our Blue Frost Membership Advantage membership plan and learn how we can help you limit your need for regular AC repairs.

Schedule AC Repairs With Blue Frost Today

If you’re experiencing short-cycling and think your air conditioner may need repairs, turn to the Blue Frost Heating & Cooling team. We have over 50 years of experience and the tools and expertise necessary to tackle any job.

24/7 Emergency Service (630) 444-0860

Schedule Service

Schedule Service