How Come My AC Cycles On and Off Every 10 Minutes?

If you have noticed that your air conditioner has been turning on and off as frequently as every 10 minutes, your system is most likely in need of repair due to “short-cycling.” Short-cycling is when a system turns on and off abruptly and often. This could be due to many things including, an improperly sized unit, poor thermostat placement, a clogged or dirty air filter, frozen evaporator coils or wiring and electrical problems. Contact a technician at Schebler Heating & Air as soon as possible to avoid further damage, because you definitely don’t want your air conditioning unit to quit on you during the hot summer days.  

What is Causing Your AC to Short-Cycle?

There are many things that can be going wrong with your air conditioning unit that could be causing it to frequently shut on and off, including: 

Frozen Evaporator Coils

An air conditioner’s evaporator coils are responsible for cooling down air that passes over the coils. Your evaporator coils can occasionally freeze due to poor airflow from clogged filters, a dirty evaporator coil, or a clogged drain pipe. When this happens, the system will likely rapidly start and stop, leading to inadequate cooling and higher energy bills. A professional should be called to inspect the issue and to determine the proper solution.

Electrical or Wiring Problems 

Electrical and wiring problems that are causing your AC unit to short cycle could include loose or corroded electrical connections. This can lead to temporary power loss from your air conditioner if not repaired. Make sure to contact a technician to repair your system if you notice this problem. 

Improperly Sized Unit

Short-cycling can occur due to an air conditioner or heat pump that is too large for your home. An oversized system is likely to overshoot the target temperature, cycle off, and then cycle back on when your home gets back to the target temperature. Unfortunately, in this case, the only solution is to replace your system with a properly sized one. 

If your air conditioning system is abruptly turning off and on for seemingly no reason, make sure to check for one of these causes and do whatever is necessary to salvage your air conditioner or heat pump. 

Contact Schebler With Short-Cycling Concerns

Contact the team at Schebler today to schedule AC repair services if your system is short-cycling. We know that the safety and comfort of your family is your top priority, so if your system is short-cycling, or if you notice anything that could cause it to short-cycle, we’d love to help you find a reliable solution. Schebler is proud to provide reliable repair services to residents of the Quad Cities and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to get started.