Reason #1 - Standard Cycling

Standard cool cycling is when your aircon switches off because it has reached the temperature that you have set it to achieve. The thermostat switches the aircon off and then it switches on again when a threshold is passed. This is the correct way for it to operate.

Reason #2 - Short Cycling

Short cycling is one of the reasons that your HVAC could be switching on and off. This is when the cycle is not long enough to cool down the interior. There are a few contributors to this but, whatever the reason, it is important to book air conditioning services urgently. The possible reasons for short cycling include:

Overheating - A buildup of internal heat in an aircon will cause rapid deterioration of the mechanical components as wear and tear soar. A safety switch will detect overheating and will trigger the motor to switch off to preserve the machine and to prevent a fire. 

Restricted Airflow - If your aircon airflow is restricted, it will overheat. The restriction could be due to a dirty air filter or obstructions in the ductwork. Regular air conditioning services should prevent surprises like this. 

Oversized AC  - When you were purchasing your aircon, were you determined to get a machine big enough to cool your whole neighbourhood? Unfortunately, a setup that is too big for the area that needs cooling will cool so fast that the thermostat is tricked into switching off before the entire area is cooled. Always get the right sized equipment ‒ trust the experts.

Clogged Condenser Coils - The aircon coils are the main element that extracts heat from your home/office. If they are mucked up, the heat cannot be extracted efficiently and the heat builds up in the aircon, causing a shutdown.

Thermostat Position: Install your thermostat in a central position, away from vents and the hot aircon! A badly positioned thermostat will record cool air before the rest of the room is cool enough ‒ and cause a shutdown.

Reason #3 - Electrical Glitch

An electrical glitch could be one of many things, from a corroded wire to a worn-out switch. Only an expert could correctly diagnose this.

Reason #4 - Compressor Glitch

The compressor uses pressure to push heat out of the refrigerant and the heat is expelled from your office or home. If the compressor fails, a safety switch will force the aircon to shut down.

Reason #5 - Refrigerant Leak 

The refrigerant is critical for cooling your interior, just like your car aircon needs gas. If it springs a leak, this is a real challenge as the coils that contain the refrigerant are costly to replace. As with the electrical glitch, call us urgently if you think the coil has sprung a leak. 

Reason #6 - Blogged Condensate Line

The condensate line is the pipe that captures evaporation and directs it outside. You will see a slow drip. If this becomes blocked and moisture builds up, a safety switch turns off the aircon before it floods.

If your aircon is short cycling or doing anything unusual, call us  urgently for air conditioning services! Prevention is cheaper than replacement.