You may have noticed that your Buford, GA, heating and cooling system is turning on and off more frequently in ever-shorter intervals. The system will turn on briefly, shut off and then turn on again, and the process will continue while the system is running. This is an issue known as short cycling, and there are several reasons why it may be occurring, including a thermostat issue, leaking refrigerant and having the wrong size heat pump.
Thermostat Error
A faulty thermostat could be the problem, and if so, it is a simple problem to fix. A programmable thermostat sets the temperature to automatically run on your chosen settings.
If the thermostat is faulty and not working correctly, it may be causing the system to turn on and off without putting out heated or cooled air. A professional technician can examine the thermostat and determine which of these possible problems could be the culprit:
- Power connection
- A tripped breaker
- Old thermostat
Refrigerant Issues
In some cases, the refrigerant could be the problem. Air control systems have manufacturer specifications for the charging of refrigerant. If a technician does not follow these specifications properly, then problems can begin to occur.
Similarly, an untrained person can fail to find charging problems or even overfill the refrigerant. If the refrigerant is insufficient, overfilled or leaking, then the system will have difficulty during the heating and cooling transfer processes. This can cause the system to run a short cycle.
Oversized Unit
Another possible reason why your air system is experiencing short cycles is that your system itself may be too large for your home. This can cause uneven air distribution throughout the home. The rooms that have thermostats may warm or cool faster than other rooms, which may cause the system to turn on and off frequently.
Our team at Pruitt Heating & Air, Inc. can help you with short cycling and any other heating issues and cooling concerns you may have. Call us today to discover the best ways to optimize your air control efficiency.
Image provided by iStock
