If you see your AC cooling for a while and then cutting off, this could potentially be due to an issue known as short cycling. Short cycling occurs when your AC runs for a brief period and then shuts off, only to switch on again and restart the cycle.

There could be numerous different reasons that your air conditioner is encountering this issue. So, why is my AC turning on and off? Veterans AC & Heat is here to run through some of the other culprits, so don’t worry.

Any home project, particularly the installation of an HVAC system, is a big commitment and you want to make sure you are getting the best and most up-to-date information. The good news is that you can rely on Veterans AV and Heat to give you the best service out there, and we have financing available with your qualified purchase.

AC Turning Off and On Due to Poor Air Flow

Your air condition unit cools your home by sucking warm air out of it, cooling that air in a central air ‘handler’ and blowing it back through the house via a system of ducts. The entire process all works on the condition that you can depend on enough airflow for this process to run through.

Obviously, if something is clogging up airflow, your AC is going to work overtime to compensate. However, this could also make the system to hotwire. When your console gets too hot, it takes measures to shut your system off to attempt and have it cool down. So when it’s cool enough again it can turn back on, prompting that annoying cycle of on and off again all over.

AC refrigerant and cooling system

What are some problems that system airflow issues can even cause, you ask? Bad air flow can have many causes, such as:

• Leaky Ductwork: If your ductwork is leaky, the air you’re paying to temper can leak into areas it’s not supposed to. All that wasted air will add a few dollars to your energy bill, and make the unit turn off and on.
• Clogged Air Filters: If an air filter is clogged with dust particles and random household debris, the airflow to your AC unit is restricted. This issue may also cause your evaporator coils to ice over, but we’ll get to that later.
• Blocked Ventilation: Air is unable to flow properly throughout your home and the system if there are blockage in the vents.
• What to do: The first thing you should do is inspect your air filter. Replace it if your air filter looks dirty and your system has been cycling on and off. All will benefit from regular replacement of an air filter. If you still aren’t able to get the unit from short cycling, you’ll need to contact a professional from Veterans AC and Heat.

Refrigerant Leaks

The air conditioning refrigerant is what your system uses to extract heat from the air in your home and release it outside.

Your central air conditioner contains a refrigerant, which is a substance that runs in conjunction with the compressor, a part that both moves the refrigerant and changes it from a liquid to a high-pressure gas and back again, if you have good levels of refrigerant now that balance the pressure of your AC unit.

So, if your refrigerant is low, your system has low pressure, and potentially your low pressure switch on the compressor is then activated, shutting down the AC. When this goes down it goes down for everything. YIKES!

Then the pressure rises, and that’s how the AC says “Shut down, and start up” and it turns into a short cycle.

What to do: The first thing you’ll want to do is contact an HVAC pro who can confirm (or not) whether there’s a refrigerant leak. If that is the case, our qualified techs will repair the leak and recharging unit with refrigerant. Non-professional take care of any refrigerants – the penalty for giving the responsibility to someone who is not engaged in the handling of the harmful substances can be severe.

Thermostat Location

Sometimes location can mean everything. If your thermostat is in an area that’s significantly warmer or cooler than the rest of your house, it’ll make it think your whole home is that temperature, too hot or too cold, which will make it shut on and off. This will result in a bad read to the extent that the system will switch on and off constantly trying to attain the right temperature as set at the thermostat.

Poor locations for a thermostat:

• Close to obstructions (bookshelf, dressers etc.).
• In direct sunlight
• Under a supply vent
• By a window that’s near the outside

These hot (or cold) spots influence the way your thermostat operates, and determine how your house is being cooled and warmed.

What to do: Call an available HVAC technician who can do a walk-through and tell you where your thermostat needs to be moved to.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Ice on your evaporator coils (the part that contains refrigerant) can be a reason your air conditioner won’t stop running, but you may also notice the AC turning off and on again frequently if this is your issue.

Freon that is freezing cold is held within the evaporator coils. The AC has to have enough heat to run through the coils, prevent the coils from freezing. Provided the unit is able to do this job well, your evaporator coils will freeze.

These frozen coils then block the air conditioner from running properly – and when that happens, your system will go into overtime, overheat and then shut down.

Why is There So Much Ice on the Evaporator Coil?

• Refrigerant Leaks: Like we discussed earlier, when you have a leak in the system, the pressure drops in the refrigeration system causing the refrigerant to evaporate at a lower temperature – this can cause frozen coils.
• Clogged Air Filter: A dirty air filter will block the airflow and make it difficult for your system to distribute enough warm air.
• Malfunctioning or Dirty Blower Fan: If air flow is not enough to blow the warm air over the A/C’s evaporator coils, that is another cause for freezing.
• What to do: The first thing to do is to turn off your AC to avoid potential system damage and replace your air filter. Once you boot back up, see if freezing the coils starts back up. If you answer, then you will need to call someone like Veterans AC and Heat.

There will be cases where you will need for an HVAC service person to come out and trouble shoot what issues are going on with your unit. Short cycling issue, any refrigerant leak, or anything else, just get it checked by A PRO.

Call Day & Night Plumbing if Your AC won’t Stop Turning on and off

That sound of your AC cycling on and off repeatedly every few minutes is irritating. Oh, and next month, you’re going to see a massive spike in your energy bill. This problem will also result in a worn out unit that lasts for shorter periods. Short cycling does a lot of damage and costs a lot of money to repair you’ll want to get a pro in to take a look as soon as possible.

10+ Years In Business Day & Night Plumbing, our licensed techs can handle all your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation needs for your home or business. We pledge to service our new and existing customers with quality service.

You can call us at 505-975-5797, or you can follow this link to fill out a form and receive a free estimate. Once you’ve done that, we can schedule an appointment for you. Chances are, you’ll be added to our list of satisfied customers!