It’s the middle of summer, temperatures soaring to 40+ degrees, and your split air conditioner starts playing up—turning on, off, on, and then off again.
A frustrating cycle (known as short-cycling) isn’t comfortable and will frustrate anyone trying to stay cool, but it can also mean there’s an even bigger problem with your AC unit.
This blog will help you find out the causes and what you can do to troubleshoot your system. After all, you want your home to be a place away from the sweltering heatwave.
Short cycling means it takes longer for your room to reach its set temperature, you’ll use more energy to reach this temperature, and your AC will work twice as much when cooling or heating.
Much like driving a car, you wouldn’t drive for 10 minutes, stop for 10 minutes and then start driving again. You’d use more fuel, create more wear and tear on your car, and never get to your destination! When your AC short cycles, the impact includes:
Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons your AC might be short cycling. It might not be what you think it is.
Have you noticed a lot of fluffy dust in your air filters? Since the aircon works by pushing air over the evaporator coils that cool, insufficient heat transfer can cause the AC to turn off.
You should be clearing air filters out at least every 3 months; they trap debris, dirt, and other airborne particles so clean air can circulate throughout your home.
Without keeping them in check, these filters clog and restrict airflow. The air conditioner can overheat, causing it to shut down and restart once it cools down. Before the new season begins, triple-check your air filters!
How large is your AC? Air conditioners have a set operating range based on their capacity, so if the capacity is more than the space you’re cooling, it cools the space fast, shuts down and doesn’t run long enough to dehumidify the air.
Before buying an air conditioning system (especially before the hot weather), make sure it is sized to suit your space. The last thing you need when summer comes along is a system that only cools one corner of your room.
The refrigerant is the most important part of your AC, absorbing and releasing heat, so if this leaks, it cuts refrigerant levels and causes the system to malfunction and short cycle. Likewise, a low refrigerant can occur from frozen evaporator coils and impact the operating pressure, causing it to shut off.
Signs of a refrigerant leak include reduced cooling efficiency and hissing noises from the unit; never ignore any strange noises.
If this is the case, do not attempt to fix these leaks yourself, as they have toxic, harmful chemicals. Reach out to a heating and cooling expert for guidance.
Every time you press the button to get your AC at 18 degrees, does it consistently not drop its temperature? If your system is constantly going from on to off, it can’t regulate its temperature based on room temperature.
A malfunctioning thermostat can send incorrect signals, causing the unit to turn on and off. Sometimes, a thermostat won’t work due to improper calibration, placement near heat sources, or general wear and tear.
If your thermostat is in a poor location where there’s no airflow (and doesn’t represent the temperature of the room) this can cause the AC to turn off.
There might even be frost on the evaporator, which can give false feedback to the capillary of the thermostat. On the flip side, the unit can overheat if it is a more complicated refrigerant leak.
Corroded or fault wires or issues with the control board can put a stop to the electrical flow, so your aircon is likely to stop and start! What issues might you notice?
Electrical problems causing short cycling are dangerous and can cause sparking, especially when exposed to leaking water. When it comes to electricity, never do it yourself. Make sure that all electrical work is completed by an experienced, qualified electrician.
Blocked vents, closed registers, or issues within the ductwork can restrict airflow, and your AC can flood, too.
The condensate line is what drains the water produced by the AC and pulls the humidity from the air. If the water can’t drain from your home (and is clogged), it backs up and floods the AC.
Check that there’s no dust, debris, or dirt in pipes, as this will completely block the flow of water. Most systems have a safety feature called a float switch, and this will turn off your AC when the water in the drain line is not flowing.
What happens if short cycling isn’t prevented? You might not be achieving comfortable temperatures or the cooling you’re looking for. Put bluntly, you’ll be in for a hot summer.
Short cycling is often from programmable thermostat issues or incorrect unit size, but that said, you might just need a quick repair from a heating and cooling technician!
If you own a Mitsubishi or a Daikin air conditioner, here is some quick troubleshooting.
A faulty time, compressor problem, or the condenser can cause random shutdowns. What can you do? Change the setting on your timer to see if the problem persists. There’s a chance that your timer is broken!
To manually reset a Mitsubishi AC unit, use your remote controller. Press the reset button at the bottom of the remote control panel; if it doesn’t work, open your home’s breaker board and turn off the switch connected to the aircon. Wait 30 seconds, then flip the switch again.
Still not working? Call up a professional at Aust Climate. Do not turn the break on or off or disconnect the power plug during operation.
Have an older Mitsubishi Electric model and are considering upgrading to Mitsubishi electric heating and cooling in Melbourne? Take a look at Mitsubishi’s Clean Air Technology which improves your air quality with its deodorising filter, self-cleaning operation, and anti-microbial fan, allergen clear filter, which captures airborne allergens.
If the operation stops (but the operation lamp on the main unit flashes), check:
Does the unit turn on and off repeatedly with the operation lamp on? When the room temperature reaches the set temperature, the AC operates in breeze mode to stop excessive heating and cooling.
When this room temperature increases or decreases from the set temp, breeze mode is cancelled and air flow volume increases. And when air temp is stable, you may notice the air flow increase and decrease repeatedly.
Searching around for reverse cycle heating and cooling in Melbourne? Daikin’s Zena technology is designed to impress with an advanced titanium apatite deodorising air purification filter that traps microscopic particles.
To learn more, read how to clean your split system for optimal cooling performance!
Not every AC issue can be fixed with your own knowledge. In many cases, you will need to call someone.
Constant Short Cycling: If the problem continues after basic troubleshooting, there may be a more serious underlying issue.
Unusual Noises: Grinding, hissing, or banging noises can indicate mechanical problems or refrigerant leaks. Don’t ignore them or push a service appointment to a later date.
Electrical Concerns: Flickering lights, tripped breakers, or burning smells require immediate attention.
Thankfully, Aust Climate offers a 6+ year workmanship warranty for your peace of mind. Whether you want air conditioning in Balwyn, Bayswater, Bentleigh, Forest Hill, Glen Waverley, Healesville, Kilsyth, Mount Evelyn, Park Orchards, or Wantirna, Aust Climate helps you find the ideal system.
From first-home buyers who just bought a home to existing homeowners needing to replace a worn-out AC, Aust Climate is the one to turn to for split systems, refrigerated cooling, add-on cooling, air conditioning and multi-head split systems.
With over 25 years of experience, our locally owned and run business specialises in the sale, installation, service, repair and maintenance of heating and cooling solutions! Contact us today at 03 9726 4444, email [email protected] or visit us in Chirnside Park, Victoria. We are always eager to help you and your family and have a number of new season products and specials.
