What Causes Short Cycling in an AC in Tulsa, OK?
Does your air conditioner turn on and off more frequently than normal? If so, you may be wondering, “What causes short cycling in an AC?”
As the provider of trusted AC repair in Tulsa, OK, Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric can help you understand the issue. With unprecedented experience and cutting-edge equipment and techniques, you can trust us to solve any challenge.
What Is Short Cycling in Tulsa, OK?
With short winters and summers frequently reaching temperatures over 100 degrees, Tulsa residents need a well-functioning air conditioner to keep them safe. Short cycling occurs when an air conditioner turns on and off frequently, regardless of the temperature in your home.
It can inhibit your HVAC system’s ability to cool your home. If you’re feeling a lack of cool air, you should seek immediate help. The Tulsa region has over a million people, and Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric remains dedicated to keeping every single one of them safe.
What Causes Short Cycling in Your Tulsa Air Conditioner
What causes air conditioner short cycling? If your AC unit doesn’t stay on long enough to keep your home at a reasonable temperature, you likely have one of the following issues.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter is one of the most common problems an air conditioner develops, and thankfully, it also requires the easiest solution. A dirty filter restricts airflow to your device, trapping the warmer air near the air conditioner and forcing it to work harder. This causes it to overheat and shut off, but it turns back on once it cools down again.
To prevent this problem, you should change your air filter at least once a month. If you have a lot of pollutants in your home, such as from smoking or pets, you should check and replace them more frequently.
Refrigerant Problems
What causes short cycling in an AC in Tulsa? Many times, you can blame your refrigerant levels. Refrigerant transports the warm air out of your home, so if the levels drop too low, your device can’t cool.
This forces the device to work harder, and like a dirty air filter, it can overheat. Only a qualified HVAC technician should refill your refrigerant. Experts consider it a toxic chemical, and you must dispose of it properly to avoid complications to your health and the environment.
Thermostat Issues
Sometimes, the problem isn’t your air conditioner at all but rather your thermostat. Your thermostat can cause problems in several ways:
- Poor calibration: Your thermostat sensor reads the ambient temperature in the room and activates your air conditioner when the temperature grows too high. To ensure it accurately reads the temperature, calibrate yearly during your maintenance appointment.
- Battery issues: If the batteries in your thermostat start dying, it can affect how well the thermostat can read the temperature or effectively communicate with your device. If you have a short-cycling air conditioner, check the batteries in your thermostat.
- Poor placement: If you place your thermostat in a place with direct sunlight, it can trick your sensor into thinking the temperature is warmer than it is. This can cause your air conditioner to rapidly turn on and off as it receives changing signals.
Frozen Coils
If your air conditioner short cycles, check for frozen evaporator coils. These coils release hot air outside, so if they’re frozen, your device can overheat. You might be surprised that an evaporator coil can freeze in the hot Tulsa summer, but when it does, you have a serious issue.
Improper Size
If you install an air conditioner that’s too large for your home, you’ll notice it short-cycles a lot as it cools your home too quickly. You might not think this is a big problem, but it wastes a ton of energy, and you’ll see your energy bills rise. Take the opportunity to invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner.
Electrical Problems
If your air conditioner has a loose connection somewhere, it may receive intermittent electrical signals and quickly turn off and on. Call an HVAC technician to identify the problem.
Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric Can Fix Your Air Conditioner in Tulsa
What causes an AC to short cycle? Now that you know the most common causes, you can contact Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric for a solution. Whether you’re experiencing AC wiring issues or need a more energy-efficient model, you can count on us to do the job well.
To obtain answers to all your questions or to schedule an appointment, call 918-212-0122.
Cassie Pound is the Vice President of Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric with locations in Tulsa, Glenpool, and Bartlesville, Oklahoma.