If you are currently bracing the height of summer and your AC keeps turning on and off, you’re experiencing something called short cycling. This is a common problem that affects countless households across America, especially during those warmer months.
However, just because it is an everyday occurrence does not mean it should be ignored.
A faulty air conditioner can present a significant number of dangers to your health and wellbeing, not least the dangers of having a broken cooling system at the height of a searing Tennessee summer.
If you’re sat there Googling “my air conditioner keeps turning on and off by itself”, here are the most common reasons why that might be.
1. Thermostat Problems
If your AC goes on and off without warning, then the most likely cause if your thermostat. Your thermostat is the nerve center of your entire AC system, meaning that a faulty thermostat can prevent the whole thing from functioning.
It’s possible that the thermostat simply needs new batteries, or it just needs restarting. Equally possible is that the placement of the thermostat is causing problems.
If the thermostat is in an area that gets a disproportionate amount of heat or cold, it will automatically switch off the air conditioning. See if you can move your thermostat to somewhere in your home that is representative of your overall room temperature.
2. A Dirty Air Filter
If the air filters in your AC are clogged, dusty, or dirty, this will affect how your AC functions.
If your AC turns on and off sporadically, always open it up and check the air filters. Dirty filters can restrict the flow of air into your unit.
This, in turn, will lead to the coils inside the unit freezing up, causing the AC to switch itself off prematurely. Give your filters a regular cleaning if you wish to avoid this in the future.
3. An Oversized Air Conditioner
If your brand new air conditioner turns on and off right away, it is possible that the AC unit in your home is simply too big.
An oversized air conditioner will cool your home very quickly and then almost immediately switch off, and then likely switch back on again before it needs to.
This is because it is unevenly circulating cold air, and behaving sporadically as a result. If you suspect that your AC unit is too large, see what you can do to swap it for a smaller one.
4. Refrigerant Leak
When an air conditioner turns on and off without warning, a refrigerant leak is another extremely common cause.
Refrigerant is a substance that runs throughout your AC unit, regulating the internal pressure and temperature.
If there are holes in your AC that are causing this to leak out, problems will begin almost immediately.
A lack of refrigerant will cause the compressor in your AC to malfunction, sporadically turning on and off as it attempts to regulate the pressure. This, in turn, will cause the AC to constantly switch on and off.
AC Keeps Turning On and Off? Get it Fixed Today
If your AC keeps turning on and off, it may be time to call in a professional who can fix it quickly and effectively. If your AC is on the fritz, don’t hesitate to call our team of dedicated professionals at any time.
