As you start to use your home’s air conditioning system more and more as the weather turns warmer, pay attention to any peculiarities in its operation. You want to catch warning signs of a malfunction early on so you can have them fixed and the AC fully prepared for the hottest weather of the middle of the year.
One out-of-the-ordinary thing to watch for is when the air conditioner’s compressor starts to turn on and off repeatedly over a short period of time. The compressor makes a distinct hum while it’s running, and it should remain running for a good stretch before it shuts off. But if the hum is coming and going more frequently than it used to, the air conditioner is probably “short-cycling,” which often indicates a serious problem that professionals must address.
What is short-cycling?
The term refers to when an air conditioner (or heat pump) becomes locked in its start-up cycle. The compressor begins the start-up cycle, but for some reason doesn’t complete it and then shuts off. A short time later, it starts again, and the process repeats and repeats.
This is bad news for an AC: it adds tremendous strain to the system, particular the motors and the compressor, leading to malfunctions and shortening the system’s life. It also drains more energy, making the AC expensive to operate.
Why does this happen?
There are a number of possible causes for short-cycling, and you need to allow an HVAC technician to find out the specific one that is affecting your home’s air conditioner. It could be a clogged air filter, a loss of refrigerant through a leak, a faulty thermostat, or even (the worst case scenario) an AC that was improperly sized when it was installed. The technician will discover the best way to solve the problem and see that your house receives the summer cooling it needs.
Call Comfort Zone Heating & Cooling for air conditioning repairs in Cumming, GA. We offer 24-hour emergency service.
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