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Why Is My Air Conditioner Not Staying On?

Air conditioners are supposed to shut off once the desired temperature has been reached. However, if your air conditioner isn’t staying on despite the stifling heat in your home, there could be an underlying problem with your system.

Not to worry: There are many common causes of AC short cycling that can be easily addressed by the homeowner. When you need urgent air conditioning repair, AirCo has the HVAC technicians you need to restore cooling comfort to your Dallas-Fort Worth area home.

What Is AC System Short-Cycling?

When an air conditioning unit is functioning properly, it will run for about 10 to 15 minutes to cool your living space before shutting off. This process is repeated to maintain the desired indoor temperature. If your system only operates for a few minutes before shutting off, it hasn’t had enough time to cool your home. This issue is referred to as system short-cycling and is relatively common for Dallas-Fort Worth homeowners to experience. When left untreated, system short-cycling can have severe consequences for your AC’s efficiency, performance, and life span.

Common Causes of Short-Cycling Air Conditioning

There are several reasons that can cause your air conditioner to short-cycle, including the following:

• Faulty thermostat: If your thermostat becomes damaged or is low on battery, it could cause your system to short-cycle.
• Electronic malfunction: Damage to control boards, sensors, relays, fuses, or start capacitors can cause serious issues with your AC unit.
• Clogged filters: Whether due to dirty air filters or duct debris, airflow obstructions can cause the compressor to overheat and shut your system off prematurely.
• Dirty coils: Dirty or frozen evaporators and condenser coils can prevent proper heat transfer, causing the air conditioner to overheat and shut down.
• Insufficient refrigerant: Refrigerant leaks or low charge can cause the air conditioner to behave erratically, allowing it to short-cycle before cooling the home.
• Oversized unit: The problem may be that your air conditioner is too large for your home, causing it to shut off much sooner than it should.

In many cases, homeowners can quickly fix system short-cycling by resetting their circuit breakers, changing out their thermostat batteries, or replacing their air filters. However, if these troubleshooting tips don’t work, you may have a more serious problem at play.

If that’s the case, find a trusted HVAC technician in the Dallas-Fort Worth region to provide the 24/7 emergency air conditioning repair services you need.

When to Contact AirCo for AC Repair in Dallas-Fort Worth

When a simple system reset, filter change, or battery swap won’t do the trick, AirCo has the cooling specialists you need to remedy the issue in no time. Our air conditioning repair technicians are available 24/7 to provide the emergency AC repair services you need exactly when you need them.

Don’t let system short cycling cause discomfort in your Dallas-Fort Worth home: Contact AirCo to schedule air conditioning repair services today!