Do you ever hear your Air Conditioner unit cutting on and off more often than you think it should? You first need to understand that a HVAC unit that is operating properly will cut on and off when the set temperature needs to be reached or has been reached. If you are noticing the unit cutting on and off more frequently, this could be the sign that there is something serious going on with your unit. In the HVAC business, we call this “Short Cycle” or “Short Cycling“.

But, why does it matter if my unit cuts on and off if the temperature is comfortable?

It matters because you can start seeing a major increase in your electric bill. The increase in your power bill is caused from the unit constantly working harder than necessary while short cycling.

What you should check first:

Step 1: Check your Filter

A clogged or dirty filter can have a major impact on your units efficiency. Checking your filter once a month is a necessary practice. Some of our clients upgrade to a Wi-fi Thermostat, that comes with filter change reminder, to help with this practice.

Step 2: Check Your Thermostat

A thermostat that isn’t properly programmed can cause your unit to short cycle. Check your settings and make sure that it’s programmed accurately.

Causes that only a technician should check:

Corroded Flame Sensor
Unit sized Improperly
Foreign Objects lodged in air vents

There are several other major issues that could be causing short cycles or problems with your HVAC unit. Technicians have the knowledge, experience and tools to take a look at these issues and properly diagnose them. You should call an insured and licensed technician if you can’t fix your problem simply by changing the filter or programming your thermostat.

Our technicians at Jewell Mechanical are only one phone call away.

Don’t forget that a situation like this is something that we look for while on your ESA Appointment.