So, let’s say it’s a hot summer day and you’re gearing up to start your air conditioner so that it can keep your home cool. It’s been recently installed, so you know that it must be in good condition and there really shouldn’t be anything wrong with it, at least you hope.
Then it starts. The system starts and cools your home down but shuts down only after 10 minutes. It starts up again, loudly, and repeats this process over and over again. You’re tired of the constant clicking of an AC that’s turning on and off and you’re wondering if this is normal. It’s not.
This is what we in the industry call short-cycling, and it’s even worse than you think. This is a serious issue that could impact your AC’s efficiency, lead to a premature breakdown, and might only be fixed by air conditioning replacement in Albuquerque, NM. Keep reading to find out more.
What’s Happening to My Air Conditioner?
Short-cycling isn’t natural and it’s not something to be ignored. You might be saying to yourself, “but the system still cools my home, why should I worry about it?” That mindset is only going to make the problem worse!
Air conditioners are supposed to function in a cooling cycle. This means all of the pressure and hard work that the system does is spread out equally among all the different components, consuming as little energy as possible. Short-cycling is a problem because something is causing your system to run in short bursts instead of completing a full cycle. This then causes strain on specific parts of your AC that will wear out much faster than they are supposed to. If you’re not a big fan of replacing your system before it’s reached a fraction of its intended lifespan, then you’re in trouble.
What’s the Cause?
Short-cycling is caused by a number of different factors. All of them are bad, but some of them can be repaired, while others are the product of faulty installation and require a full system replacement to fix.
- Incorrect Sizing. When your AC was installed, was it done by an amateur? The only reason we ask is because professional HVAC technicians are supposed to calculate the load that your system is going to be cooling. This requires the use of equipment and training. If your system was installed with the incorrect load calculation, it’s likely trying to compensate.
- Refrigerant Leak. Refrigerant is required for the cooling process to take place. When your system starts leaking refrigerant, it will likely have to consume more energy and run more frequent cycles in order to provide the cooling necessary to keep your home comfortable.
- Clogged Air Filter. Air filters that get clogged up really stifle the interior components of your system. Without clear airflow through the return air ducts, your system will likely output less cooling power and run in shorter, more frequent cycles that consume more energy.
Call Us to Fix It
Fixing a short-cycling air conditioner is no simple task, but it’s an important one. Defer to the opinion of experts from this point on, don’t gamble on the health and longevity of your air conditioner.
The team at First Rate Plumbing Heating and Cooling Inc are prepared to fix your short-cycling AC. Call us today! Quality work, exuberant service.