{"id":487,"date":"2021-09-20T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moonsair.com\/blog\/?p=487"},"modified":"2021-09-14T07:42:03","modified_gmt":"2021-09-14T12:42:03","slug":"short-cycling-the-stop-and-start-ac-problem-and-what-it-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moonsair.com\/blog\/air-conditioning-service\/short-cycling-the-stop-and-start-ac-problem-and-what-it-means\/","title":{"rendered":"Short-Cycling: The Stop-and-Start AC Problem and What It Means"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"fan\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today we\u2019re going to discuss one of the most common air conditioning troubles: short-cycling. This is both an AC malfunction and a symptom of other malfunctions. It often requires the expertise of professionals to provide the AC repair in Shreveport, LA<\/a> to diagnose the underlying issue and solve the problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, we have to talk about what short-cycling is so you can recognize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The Basics of Short-Cycling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Short-cycling is when an air conditioning system begins to run in abbreviated cooling cycles that happen rapidly, one after the other. Standard AC operation has the cooling system run in cycles that last 15 minutes or more: this is the amount of time necessary to start up the compressor, circulate refrigerant, and lower the indoor temperature to the target on the thermostat. On hotter days, the cycle length will increase, but it shouldn\u2019t be shorter than 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When short-cycling, an AC will often run in cycles less than 10 minutes long and restart soon after finishing the shortened cycled. This fast on-off pattern will alert you to the problem. If you think your AC is turning on more than usual, it\u2019s probably short-cycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Problem With Short-Cycling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we consider what might cause short-cycling to happen, we need to explain that short-cycling all on its own is a major problem. An AC isn\u2019t designed to have this must stress placed on it from constant starts and stops. It\u2019s much the same with a car engine. The strain from short-cycling can lead to repairs and an early system replacement because of a worn-down compressor. Short-cycling will also run up higher energy bills because the compressor draws on the most power during start-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Causes of Short Cycling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Short-cycling can damage your air conditioning system, but the source of the problem may be even worse. Here are a few of the reasons for short-cycling to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n