Short cycling is a term used to describe when your air conditioning system turns on and off frequently without cooling down your home. You may hear the system turn on, only to hear it turn off a few minutes later. Your unit is not able to complete the cycle of cooling, and it's time to further investigate what is going on. When your thermostat is set at the correct temperature but your air conditioner turns off before reaching this temperature, something is going wrong with how your system is functioning.

The Air Filter Is Clogged

A clogged air filter makes your air conditioner work harder than it needs to in order to cool off your home. Your filter should be changed monthly when you are using your air conditioner every day. If your air filter is too clogged, this can cause strain on your unit and make it overheat. If the system starts to overheat, your air conditioner will shut off without cooling down your home.

The Evaporator Coils Contain Ice

Evaporator coils are responsible for bringing refrigerant through your air conditioning unit so that cool air can be blown into your home. When a blower isn't working correctly, it can cause ice to form on your evaporator coils. You will need to turn off your air conditioner to thaw the evaporator coils. This may fix the problem of short cycling. If the issue persists, you'll need to call for air conditioning repair service.

Low Refrigerant Levels and Short Cycling

When refrigerant leaks out of your air conditioner, this can cause your system to malfunction. Short cycling can occur when there is not enough refrigerant. Your system will work extra hard to try and cool off your home without success when the refrigerant needs to be filled. 

Issues With Your Electrical System

Short cycling may not be a problem with your filter, thermostat, or evaporator coils. Instead, the issue could be within your electrical system. If you suspect that your wiring is the problem, it's time to call an air conditioning specialist to come and fix the issue. You should not try to handle any electrical work on your air conditioning system on your own.

If you hear your system turn on and off and you aren't getting cool air, your system is short cycling. A number of problems can cause your air conditioner to short cycle, and it's important to have a professional deal with the problem if you are unable to figure out what is wrong.