Got a central air conditioner that turns on and off every few seconds or minutes? This is called “short cycling” (because normally the AC has a regular on and off “cycle” that varies with the outside temperature.) Short cycling wears out the outside unit’s compressor. That’s bad because the compressor is so expensive that, if it breaks, many homeowners usually just replace the entire outside unit. So, what causes short cycling? There are 3 common causes: We’ll discuss these problems in detail in this article. Or if you live in the metro Atlanta area and you ready to get this fixed now, schedule a repair with Coolray ASAP. Your AC compressor has a device called “low pressure control.” Basically, it can shut off the compressor when you’re low on refrigerant. And if you’re low on refrigerant, that means you also have a refrigerant leak that needs repairing. If not repaired, you’ll have to keep paying for a contractor to add more, which can get pricy.

See our answers to FAQs about refrigerant/Freon. An AC that is too large (oversized) cools your home too quickly, so it shuts down and starts up frequently. This causes several problems, including: If your AC is relatively new, try to get a refund and have a professional installer perform a Manual J Heat Load Calculation to find the size that’s right for you. The temperature around the thermostat determines how your AC runs. So if the thermostat is too close to an air supply vent, it gets a blast of cold air when the AC turns on. This signals to the AC to shut off (because the thermostat now think your whole home is cold). Then the ambient (surrounding) heat around the thermostat warms it up, causing the AC to turn back on. Then the cold air hits the thermostat, turning the AC back off. This is why the AC is short cycling. Luckily, this is a relatively simple fix – just find a better location for your thermostat. A professional air conditioning company can help you do find the best spot.

There are other issues that can cause your AC to short cycle, but these 3 are some of the most common ones. Want this problem fixed ASAP? If you live in the Atlanta area, schedule a repair with Coolray.pinnacle air handling unit Coolray is your Atlanta-area home comfort expert with specialists in heating, air conditioning, air quality and plumbing. diy car ac evacuationWe’d be happy to help – just contact us online.wall unit ac 5000 btu 300 posts, read 688,560 times 284 posts, read 1,119,417 times 3,702 posts, read 13,835,465 times 20,793 posts, read 43,207,769 times 14,718 posts, read 15,190,421 times 13,664 posts, read 13,229,960 times Originally Posted by NeilVA I'd have to disagree with that assessment as a low charge would likely result in long run times.

Compressor cycling on 3 times an hour (and staying off 50% of the time) in 100 degree temps seems to indicate the unit is functioning normally. If you have a meat thermometer, stick it in through one of the canvas transitions just in front and just after your indoor blower section. You should see about 20 degrees difference between the two readings. 1,963 posts, read 3,537,811 timesOversizing your window air conditioner relative to the room can cause short cycling. Air conditioners can sometimes exhibit what is called "short cycling," that is, the unit will cycle too frequently. Troubleshooting the causes for short cycling is often a practice in eliminating potential causes and seeing if the problem is solved. There are a few common causes for short cycling that can be fixed by the homeowner. These should be eliminated before considering having your unit serviced. Window Air Conditioner is Oversized Using a window air conditioner that is too large for the room it is placed in can cause the unit to cycle too frequently.

This is because the desired temperature is reached quickly after the unit turns on, triggering the thermostat to cycle the unit back down. A unit that is too large for the room it is in will need to be replaced. Window Air Conditioner has a Clogged Filter A window air conditioner has a filter just like its central unit counterpart. The filter is typically behind an access panel on the front of the air conditioner, accessible from inside the home. If this filter becomes clogged, the air conditioner can have trouble cycling air through its system, causing the unit to cycle rapidly. This will allow the humidity level in the room to remain high, while the temperature may decrease. Change or clean the filter and check to see if the problem is solved. Window Air Conditioner has a Clogged Condensation Pan Air conditioners are also dehumidifiers. As a byproduct of this cooling method, humidity is removed from the air and drips in to a condensation pan, which drains outside the unit. If the condensation pan becomes clogged with debris from inside the home, which may happen if the unit is run with an old or clogged filter for a prolonged period, the unit will cycle off.

The condensation pan is typically accessible from inside the home. Remove the front access panel and the filter and use a small amount of white vinegar and a pipe cleaner to clean out the condensation drain and free any clogs. Central Air Conditioning Unit Central air conditioners do not typically have very many user-serviceable parts. A cycling central air conditioning unit should have its filter changed, and should be checked for a clogged condensation drain. These drains are typically located outside the home, and may run in to your roof gutter system if your air conditioner is located in your attic. A clogged drain or filter may cause your unit to cycle too frequently, and these are relatively easy fixes. Barring that, central air conditioning units should not be serviced by the homeowner. Call an authorized repair person for your particular brand of air conditioner. Since the mid-1990s, most cars equipped with air conditioning have also been outfitted with electronic modules that tell your car’s AC compressor to cycle on and off.

Although it may be alarming the first time it happens at a stoplight or when you are idling at the store, it is very normal. The electronic module in your car’s air conditioning system is informing your car’s compressor that it can take a break because the car has reached the interior temperature you have chosen and the compressor is not needed at that moment to move the refrigerant around. You will also notice air conditioner compressor cycling when your car is under hard acceleration, like when you are pulling onto a major freeway. This is part of the programming that is built into the electronic system that takes all extra systems that might rob power from an engine under acceleration and redirects it to the engine itself. Again, this is normal operation. If you do find that your car’s air conditioner compressor is cycling on and off too quickly, then it likely indicates that your vehicle’s electronic module is failing. Yes, it is easy to blame a mechanical system but your car’s compressor system is engaged by the clutch and that, in turn, is driven by the ECU (electronic control unit) for the air conditioner/heating system.

Why would this system fail? It could be temperature related. As systems age, they become more susceptible to failure, especially heat or cold-related failure. Although it isn’t really advisable to look inside the module, if you could tear the cover off, you would see a bunch of tiny dark chips on the board with numbers on them. Some of these devices are really resistor packs that will change value over time depending on the car’s operational environment (engines are not conducive to longevity for many devices because of the heat/cold cycle they run through). Once a resistor pack (or thermistor—it’s temperature-controlled cousin) changes value, then the ECU signals that are supposed to happen at certain points may change, leading to an alteration in your car’s compressor cycles. The solution to this problem is to take your car to a service area where they have the computerized equipment that will tell them the modules that have failed and need replacement. If you are a bit strapped for cash, you can find an aftermarket replacement module, purchase a service manual, and try to replace it yourself instead.