A serious issue that air conditioners can encounter is “rapid cycling” or “short cycling.” This is when the compressor, the core of the cooling power in an AC and the component that requires the most power to run, turns on for only a short period before shutting down again, long before finishing its cooling cycle. A brief time later, the compressor will turn back on and start the process over. This can continue for many hours of the compressor starting-stopping-starting.
There are a number of reasons this is bad news for an air conditioner, and different reasons that it might start. In this post, we’re concerned with one in particular that is connected to installation—and is perhaps the most difficult of all rapid cycling problems to fix. To avoid this often catastrophic issue, only rely on an experienced company like G&S Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc. to handle your ducted or ductless air conditioning installation in Lynwood, WA. We have over 35 years of experience with AC installation, repairs, and maintenance.
The Oversized Air Conditioner and Short Cycling
When an air conditioning system is installed, it must first be “sized,” a job professionals do that determines the cooling load necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature in a home. An AC that is too small will never manage to condition a house sufficiently. But one that’s too large…
This is where rapid cycling becomes an issue. An oversized air conditioner will lower the temperature in a home so rapidly that the sensors will shut down the compressor too early, stopping the cooling cycle before it can get started. The temperature will then rise and the compressor will come back on. This will create huge stress on the motors and the compressor, leading to early repairs, elevated utility bills, and a shortened lifespan for the system. You will also experience reduced comfort in your home because the abbreviated cooling cycle means that the low temperatures will not have a chance to spread evenly through all the rooms of the house.
There is little that can be done about a poorly sized and installed air conditioner that has started to short cycle. The only solution in most cases is to get rid of the oversized AC and install one that fits the cooling needs of the house. This is one of the (many) reasons that you should only rely on experienced professionals when it comes to installing an AC. Amateur work risks an air conditioner either too small or too large.
You won’t need to worry about sloppy installation when you call on G&S Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc. Whether you need heat pump or ducted or ductless air conditioning installation in Lynwood, WA, we will take care of the job with the professionalism that is our hallmark of 37 years in the business.
