Summertime is in full swing and that means air conditioning season is upon us! While your AC is hopefully keeping you nice and cool, it is not uncommon for the AC to start and stop frequently, especially during the hotter summer months. If your AC starts and stops more often than normal, it is important to call a St. Louis HVAC professional as soon as possible for air conditioner servicing.
But first, you also need to know what the normal cycle times are for the AC and the top reasons why the AC starts and stops too often. Read on to learn more. For more information and to schedule HVAC maintenance to make sure your system is running as it should, contact the St. Louis heating and cooling professionals at Galmiche & Sons today.
Normal Cooling Cycle Times
Your air conditioning unit works in cycles to achieve the goal temperature defined on the thermostat. An air conditioner that is operating normally, typically cycles for 15 to 20 minutes, twice or three times each hour. In-between the cycles, the AC stops briefly for 7 to 10 minutes before it starts cooling again.
Sometimes, the AC starts and stops too often – and this is called “short cycling”. Short cycling can not only crank up your energy bills but can end up damaging the unit if not addressed in time by an HVAC professional.
Why Does Short-Cycling Occur?
Short cycling can happen when the AC does not go through the full cycle and instead, gets stuck in the startup mode. The compressor is switched on by the thermostat and it shuts down before the cooling takes place. It starts again but shuts off prematurely setting up the process of short cycling.
If your AC starts and stops every 10 minutes (or lesser than that) several times each hour, the compressor can get permanently damaged. Another sign of trouble is when your AC shuts off for less than 7 minutes in-between the cooling cycles.
Here are some reasons why your AC starts and stops too often:
- Incorrect air conditioner sizing: If the air conditioner is not correctly sized for your home, it can start and stop too often. This applies whether the air conditioner is too large or too small.
- Improperly calibrated thermostat: If the thermostat is not properly calibrated, it may cause the AC to turn on and off more frequently in an effort to reach the desired temperature. A malfunctioning thermostat can also detect incorrect temperatures (or "ghost readings") that cut short the cooling cycle.
- Clogged air filter: Another common cause of short cycling is a clogged air filter. A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the AC and can cause the evaporator coils to freeze over, which will stop the AC from working altogether. In most cases, replacing the air filter should fix the issue; however, if there is severe damage to the compressor or the evaporator coil, it may need to be replaced.
Get Your AC Serviced By a St. Louis HVAC Professional
If your AC starts and stops too often, it can be a sign that there is a serious problem with your HVAC system. Galmiche & Sons are St. Louis’ leading HVAC professionals and can help you get your AC running smoothly again. Contact our heating and air conditioning professionals online or by phone for air conditioner repair and preventive maintenance.
