HVAC Short Cycling: Why It's Bad and How To Deal With It

Does your HVAC system seem to operate in fits and starts? If your home never seems to be at the right temperature, you may be the victim of HVAC short cycling. If so, you need professional help. 

Schedule your air conditioning repair in Westwood by Gladiator Services. Gladiator Services can provide professional repair for your HVAC short-cycling problems. We can get your system back to working order, decrease unnecessary energy bills, and offer comfortable, even temperatures to every room.

Here, we will define short cycling, teach you why it occurs, and discuss critical steps you can take to prevent it.

What is HVAC Short Cycling?

Short cycling occurs when air conditioners or furnaces turn on and off frequently or operate in "short cycles." Due to low efficiency when running, your system needs to run even more to compensate for the time it is not on. By contrast, complete cycles are when your system is only on as much as needed to reach the desired temperature.

Reasons for HVAC Short Cycling

There are many reasons why your HVAC system is short cycling, each with differing effects. Some causes for HVAC short cycling are an easy fix you can do yourself, while others require the expertise of someone more knowledgeable about ACs and furnaces. The reasons for short cycling can include:

1. Your Unit Needs Maintenance or Repair

Every system experiences wear and tear with age, and yours will do the same. It is not unexpected that your system is short cycling if you have not had an HVAC inspection or maintenance in a while. Regularly scheduling these can fix short cycling and prevent future issues. 

That said, it's best to leave this to the pros. Your local HVAC experts can diagnose and fix your issue efficiently and safely. A DIY fix can worsen HVAC issues, resulting in more expensive and complex repairs and even system replacement.

2. Your Thermostat is in a Bad Location for Your HVAC Operation

There are spots in your home where your thermostat should not sit. Placing your thermostat in direct sunlight, near vents, or appliances that generate heat can provide an incorrect temperature. As a result, your thermostat can signal your HVAC system to turn on and off unexpectedly to compensate.

3. Your AC or Furnace is Too Big

A unit too big for its space will spend more time and energy trying to cool and heat and struggle to distribute air evenly. You will then notice your furnace or AC shutting on and off in an attempt to fix this. A professional can help remove the overly large system and find a better-fitting one for your home.

4. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Over time, dust and debris accumulate on your system's air filter and evaporator coils, keeping the coils from absorbing heat. Because of this, condensation gathers and freezes on the evaporator coils. Unable to correctly cool air, your unit may short cycle or stop working altogether.

5. You Have Electrical Issues

The wiring inside your system could have become loose, broken, or faulty over time. These improper connections mean the unit stops heating and cooling your home and often short cycles to compensate.

Your thermostat could also be in the wrong setting or temperature, so check this before seeking professional guidance. Your fix may be as simple as recalibrating your thermostat.

6. There is a Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant helps cool the hot air coming into your system. When there is a refrigerant leak, your system works even harder to cool the air. As the refrigerant levels diminish and the hot air builds up inside the unit, your HVAC short cycles.

7. Your Air Filter is Clogged or Dirty

When your air filter has a buildup of dirt and dust, air cannot freely flow, and your system cannot cool your space. The heat continues to build until you experience overheating and a system shutdown. The solution may be to clean the filter or replace it with a new one, depending on how dirty it is. 

Why Short Cycling is Bad and How to Fix It

Leaving HVAC short cycling unattended can harm the lifespan of your furnace or air conditioner, making your appliance strain to heat or cool your home correctly. This additional effort comes at a cost. Some severe consequences for not fixing your short cycling system are:

• Increasingly Expensive Energy Bills - A system working overtime to regulate temperatures will cost you more. A unit starting and stopping takes a lot of energy, so short cycling quickly raises expenses.
• Worn and Damaged Parts - Short cycling takes effort, and effort produces wear and tear on your system's parts. A short cycling unit will degrade faster than one functioning normally. Your whole system could be in jeopardy if the domino effect of breaking parts occurs.
• Uneven and Uncomfortable Temperatures - When short cycling, your AC or furnace can't properly maintain the temperature you want. As a result, you may notice each room in your home at different temperatures, perhaps not at what is comfortable to you. 

One of the best ways to prevent short-cycling is to take care of your HVAC system. Schedule inspections, clean it frequently, and do not wait for problems to worsen before you address them. Gladiator Services can meet with you, assess your system's condition, and offer suggestions to improve it. Our expert team knows HVAC systems inside and out and can pinpoint problems and provide top-notch solutions.

While you may be able to solve your issue with something as simple as a filter change, it's likely the problem is more complicated. Don't leave things to chance: call for help.

Call a Professional to Fix Cycling Issues

Learn how to best work with plants around your outdoor AC unit, and contact us for any HVAC short cycling issues or issues with condenser units. With our comprehensive understanding of HVAC systems, we'll get things working again in no time. Big or small, we can fix your HVAC system!

We proudly serve Bergen County, so call us today at 201-419-6090 to schedule your appointment with us.