Central Air Turns Off Right Away
Central Air Turns Off Right Away
When you have a functioning cooling system, you expect a rush of comfortable, cool air to dispel the excessive heat in your home. What you don't expect is a faulty cooling system that doesn't deliver on it any of its functions. If you are dealing with such problems at the moment, then this guide will be of great help. Read on to find out what could be causing problems with your cooling system and what you can do about it!
Why AC Keeps Turning Off Rapidly
When a cooling system initiates its cycle but doesn't complete it, there could be a mechanical problem commonly referred to as short cycling. The cooling system will shut off before your home gets adequately cool. But what causes short-circuiting? There are several causes of this mechanical problem: some of them include;
Dirty Outdoor Unit
When you have a dirty outdoor unit, your cooling system can suffer mechanical problems. The presence of dirt in the compressor can impact how the cooling system handles heat. This will result in poor cooling efficiency and overheating. Besides, there will be increased energy costs as well as performance issues. For that reason, we recommend that you clean the outdoor unit annually to get rid of dirt. To guarantee safety and efficiency, you should hire a trained technician to handle the cleaning. You can use a hose to run water over the system's fins when it is off because it helps keep it free of debris. By doing so, you help keep the cooling system in excellent condition.
Dirty Air Filter
The presence of a dirty air filter can also cause mechanical problems in the cooling system. Luckily, the most common cause of short cycling is simple airflow clogs. These clogs are caused by a dust-caked air filter that prevents the free circulation of air. When the air filter is too dirty, it significantly reduces airflow in the cooling system. This makes the system overheat quickly during its operations.
Remember that when the system overheats, it shuts its cycle down to prevent further damage. Therefore, you should change air filters every one or two months — the changing period should depend on the quality of the filter. If you regularly change the air filter, you can help fix this problem. However, if you leave it alone for far too long, the dirt filter could leave the entire cooling system coated in debris. In such cases, you will need a professional to fix the problem. This will also rely on high repair costs.
Refrigerant Leaks
When there are refrigerant leaks in the cooling system, it might attempt to continue operating normally. However, the problem is, without saying sufficient refrigerant present in the refrigerant line, the cooling system will automatically freeze itself. This is because the refrigerant process cannot complete without sufficient refrigerant. As a result, you will notice a heavy layer of frost forming on the evaporator coils. The presence of frost often results in short cycling. If you suspect that there is a refrigerant leak in your cooling system, you need to call a professional right away!
You are warned against trying to fix the problem by yourself. This is because the refrigerant is extremely harmful in the open air and can cause allergic reactions. Besides, the system might not function correctly until the refrigerant is replaced. Only a professional can fix such problems. Besides, professionals are equipped with the right equipment to open up the cooling system and examine its operations. They also have the knowledge to identify where the problem might be.
Oversized Air Conditioner
Another common cause of mechanical problems in the cooling system is an oversized air conditioner. Oversized cooling systems will do their job almost too well, which shouldn't be the case. If the cooling unit is too large, it will blast your home with cool air. The excessive air will then bypass its targeted thermostat setting and then shut back off. This means that your home will never get cooled thoroughly. As a result, you will find yourself waffling between hot and chilly very quickly.
While all these are possible causes why your cooling system keeps turning off, it is vital to ensure that it is in the right state at all times. An old cooling system could exhibit such signs due to its old state. Therefore, you should check the overall condition of your cooling system because initiating any repairs. Similarly, you should always ensure that the settings are right. If you get the cooling system's settings in the wrong order, you are likely to experience mechanical problems.
