Why Does My AC Keep Turning Off? These Are the Most Likely Reasons 

Each time your air conditioner starts up, it should run for several minutes before turning off again. The entire process is known as a cooling cycle, and it’s vital to how your HVAC system provides comfortable indoor temperatures. So if you’ve noticed your AC keeps switching off, comfort can be tougher to maintain. 

There are different reasons why your air conditioner keeps shutting off, but one of the most common reasons is short cycling. This aggravating HVAC problem involves cooling cycles that aren’t long enough to make effective use of your air conditioner. It may keep switching off before your home has a chance to cool down. We’ll review a few details of what short cycling is and where it starts. Then, we’ll share a few more separate reasons your cooling equipment keeps turning off. 

Your Air Conditioner Might Be Short Cycling 

When an air conditioner short cycles, it turns off before reaching the set temperature. It may not be long before the thermostat recognizes this and instructs the AC to turn on again. But since there’s a problem, the air conditioner will continue to short cycle. This may extend the time required to cool your home while placing extra strain on key components. If left alone too long, short cycling could even lead to premature system failure. 

5 Problems That May Lead to Your Air Conditioner Short Cycling 

Another annoying aspect of short cycling is the number of potential causes. In general, a lot of short-cycling issues can be caused by overheating. But the excess heat could just be the symptom of another unknown problem. During air conditioner repair, a technician will look for a few of the most common things to start narrowing down the root cause. 

1. Overheating: Excessive heat can ruin components inside your air conditioner. Safety features should detect overheating and shut the AC off to protect delicate parts. But if the original problem hasn’t been resolved, this process just starts over again. 

2. Poor Airflow: Your HVAC system requires enough airflow to run at safe, optimal temperatures. When the air filter or ductwork is clogged, poor circulation can lead to overheating, which means short cycling. 

3. Wrong AC Sizing: HVAC equipment should be properly “sized” for your home. This means that the power of your air conditioner fits the cooling needs of your home. An air conditioning system that’s too big will pump out cool air too quickly, tricking the system into turning off early before the entire house is cooled down. 

4. Dirty Condenser Coils: This component dissipates the heat collected from inside your home. When the coils become too dirty, this heat can end up in the air conditioner. The high levels of heat may be enough to result in a premature shutdown. 

5. Thermostat location: The thermostat should be in a centralized location away from a vent or the HVAC equipment itself. This ensures each room of the house has cooling for long enough to reach the set temperature. Keeping your thermostat too close to cool air can trick it into thinking the temperature has been reached earlier. 

Short cycling is an annoying problem ideal for the tools and knowledge of a professional technician. But there are still other reasons your air conditioner may be shutting off unexpectedly. Let’s take a look. 

Some Other Reasons Your AC Keeps Switching Off 

Electrical Malfunction: Any number of malfunctions with the wiring or an electrical switch might lead to consistent shutdowns. Maybe the wiring is old or damaged, but electrical problems should receive professional care for a prompt, safe solution. 
Compressor Failure: This vital component applies pressure to force heat out of the refrigerant before it’s removed from your home. When the component fails, a safety switch should recognize the pressure change and tell the air conditioner to shut off. 
Refrigerant Leak: Your refrigerant absorbs and releases heat, making it one of the most important parts in your HVAC system. A leak can be catastrophic, as the coils designed to hold the coolant are expensive to replace. It’s important to respond quickly if you suspect a leak to prevent premature air conditioning replacement. 
Clogged Condensate Line: When humidity is condensed into moisture during the cooling process, the condensate line safely drains it away. When the line or drain pan is clogged up, a float switch shuts off the AC before half of it is running underwater. 

Stop Short Cycling in Its Tracks with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 

If your air conditioner is short cycling, call a professional technician with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. They can quickly determine the root cause, working toward a solution that protects the rest of your HVAC system from the wear and tear of short cycling. To schedule an appointment or request an appointment, call 866-397-3787 today.