Is Your HVAC Short Cycling? Discover the Possible Reasons
Homeowners rely on their HVAC units to provide them with relief during the cold and warm months. Any issue with the system during the peak summers or winters compromises indoor comfort. A common problem that several people encounter with their HVAC system is short cycling.
What is HVAC short cycling?
HVAC short cycling refers to a situation where an air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace turns on and off more rapidly than usual due to something preventing it from completing the full heating or cooling cycle. The system constantly turns on and shuts down prematurely after running for a little while. A short cycling system performs poorly, leads to costly damages, has a lower lifespan, causes the components to wear out faster, and significantly raises the energy bills.
Causes of HVAC short cycling
Here are a few likely culprits causing the HVAC unit to short cycle:
Dirty or clogged air filter
When dirt and debris clog the air filters, it acts as a barrier that restricts the airflow. A clogged filter strains the HVAC system, and it uses more energy to maintain the desired temperatures. Insufficient airflow overheats the system and causes it to shut down before completing the cycle to protect the components from damage. The system restarts after the parts cool down. Clean and replace the HVAC air filters regularly to prevent short-cycling due to clogged filters.
Improperly sized unit
If a newly installed HVAC system short-cycles, it is most likely due to the incorrect size. An HVAC system that is too large quickly cools or heats home and shuts down. It also leads to uneven heating or cooling throughout the home. An undersized unit fails to efficiently meet the heating and cooling demands and strains to attain the temperature set on the thermostat to provide the required comfort. It causes the system to overheat and shutting off the cycle soon after it begins. To fix the issue, consider replacing the existing HVAC with a correctly sized system.
Low refrigerant levels
Leaks somewhere in the system result in low refrigerant levels. Insufficient refrigerant level freezes the coils, which obstructs the proper airflow. The air conditioner struggles to operate efficiently and fails to cool the house properly. It increases the stress on the other components, and the unit works harder, causing it to short cycle. Call an HVAC contractor to inspect and fix the leaks and recharge the system with the correct refrigerant amount.
Dirty or frozen evaporator coils
A common cause of short cycling is dirty or frozen evaporator coils. These coils absorb and remove hot air present in your home. Dirt or ice on the coils restricts its ability to function correctly, and it struggles to remove heat. It increases the burden on the unit to eliminate the hot air, causing the system to overheat and shut down.
Wrong thermostat placement
An HVAC unit can short cycle if the thermostat is faulty or placed in direct sunlight, near windows, vents, or any heat generating appliance. Incorrect thermostat placement causes it to read the home temperature inaccurately and send wrong signals to the HVAC system, causing it to start and stop prematurely.
Get professional HVAC assistance
Short cycling is dangerous for an HVAC system and may indicate a severe issue requiring immediate attention. Regular HVAC inspection, cleaning, and maintenance by a professional is the easiest way to prevent short cycling.
Stud Air Conditioning is a full-service installation, maintenance, and repair HVAC company serving Broward, Miami-Dade, West Palm Beach, and Port St. Lucie counties. Call us when you need help with your heating or cooling needs at (954)324-2905. We can help!
