Why Short Cycling is a Threat to Your Air Conditioning System

Have you ever noticed your air conditioning system turning on and off every couple of minutes? If so, don’t ignore it. That behavior is called short cycling, and it’s a massive problem. If not taken care of quickly, short cycling can easily shorten the lifespan of the system. Read on to find out what causes short cycling, and why it’s such a big problem for your air conditioner.

Causes
Short cycling can be caused by a number of different things going wrong in your system. It’s possible that you have a malfunctioning thermostat, which is sending erratic signals to the air conditioner. It’s also possible that the compressor is damaged. The compressor is the part off the system responsible for circulating refrigerant gas throughout the system. It is only designed to handle gas, so if liquid refrigerant makes it into the part it can cause a lot of damage. If the compressor is malfunctioning, the rhythm of the entire air conditioner can be thrown off. This causes it to short cycle.

Why it’s a Threat
Air conditioning systems are designed to operate in cycles, putting out a certain amount of output over a specific amount of time. Short cycling throws off that balance, dramatically increasing the wear and tear on the system. This makes it far more likely for parts of the system to fail, and shortens the overall lifespan of the air conditioner. Short cycling also significantly decreases the efficiency off the air conditioner, causing its output levels to drop. If the problem is not fixed, you will find yourself having to replace your air conditioner far sooner than you would otherwise have to. Call for repairs as soon as you notice this problem.

SPS Mechanical Inc. offers comprehensive air conditioner repair services throughout West Deptford, NJ.