With a humid subtropical climate contributing to summer highs of 94 degrees, Tulsa is known for having excessive heat and high humidity. With these temperatures in play, it’s not just you and your family who become lethargic since your air conditioner may refuse to go on with its activities as well. That’s when you start wondering, “Why does my air conditioner turn off by itself in my Tulsa, OK, home?”
While these summer days may end in 73-degree nights on average, allowing you to crack open a window rather than turn on your system, the days are brutal on your cooling unit. Below, our five-star team with premium AC repair services in Tulsa, OK, explains common causes for an immediate or repetitive shutdown.
What Does Your Air Conditioner Turning Off Mean for It, You, and Your Tulsa Home?
Before delving into the causes of short cycling, let’s discuss why it’s vital to address them. Aside from the obvious discomfort of rising temperature and humidity levels in your Tulsa home, turning off your unit frequently increases energy bills and wear and tear to internal components. You’ll pay more when running your unit with less cooling capacity and energy efficiency to show for it.
Moreover, if humidity builds up in the system, causing moisture to accumulate, mold and mildew growth proliferate. Fungal spores are released into your breathing air, causing allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses alongside facial irritations and hay fever.
Common Causes of Your Tulsa Cooling Unit Powering Off
While there are some cases where a minor DIY tweak can get your Tulsa unit back on track, other times, it takes a lot more. We’ll delve into both types below.
Thermostat Mishaps Altering Settings
Your thermostat is the brains of your system, telling your cooling unit when to turn on depending on Tulsa indoor temperatures and what controlled climate temperature to reach before turning off. Whether a child was playing with the knob or you accidentally nudged it as you passed by it, an incorrect setting alters your ideal one.
For instance, if you mistakenly raise it from 72 degrees to 80, your AC unit won’t power on for long or cool your home optimally. So, check the settings and readjust if necessary. In other cases, dying batteries or faulty wiring automatically alter your settings, so change the batteries or reach out for further assistance in Tulsa.
Dirty Filters Blocking Air
Dirty air filters are another common culprit if you’re wondering, “Why does my air conditioner turn off by itself in Tulsa, OK?” As debris passes through, the meshy surface traps it so it doesn’t settle onto moving internal parts, which could cause it to come to a grinding halt. Similarly, it keeps dust from passing into your breathing air, which would otherwise cause respiratory illnesses and irritations.
However, after three to four months, dust, dander, and other contaminants build up, impeding airflow, and the unit overheats and shuts down as a result. So, change your filters seasonally or clean them with warm water, a soft-bristled brush, and gentle soap.
Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils Barring Heat Transfer
Just as dirt and dust bar airflow, they also block heat transfer. When warm Tulsa air enters your unit, it travels over the evaporator coil. The liquid refrigerant within the coils absorbs the warmth from the air, leaving only cool air behind that’ll eventually reenter your household rooms via unit or air duct vents. The coolant then takes the warm air to the outdoor condenser unit and expels it into the outside air.
If the coils freeze and create an ice barrier due to low refrigerant levels, or dirty or missing filters have caused debris to settle along the coil surface, limited heat transfer takes place and the warm air will reenter your Tulsa home. You can clean or thaw the coil with a hairdryer or call for a professional touch.
Other Causes of Short Cycling
Unfortunately, there are several other reasons why your Tulsa unit turns on and off, including:
- Electrical problems such as the circuit boards tripping and switching off
- An oversized unit cooling quickly but unevenly
- Overheating from overworking in extreme temperatures
When You Need Quality Air Conditioning Services in Tulsa, OK, You Need Us!
Why does my air conditioner turn off by itself in my Tulsa, OK, home? If you’re wondering about this or the signs your air conditioner needs to be replaced, contact our 4.9-star team with over 2,100 reviews. Our family-owned Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric is available 24/7, so call 918-212-0122 for unbeatable assistance!
