Air Conditioner is Turning On & Off Repeatedly! WHY?

4 Main Causes for A/C Switching On & Off

Let’s review some of the reasons why your central air conditioner turns on and off repeatedly so you or a trained technician can address the issue successfully.

1. Location of Your Thermostat

Your thermostat may be located in an impractical spot. Because your thermostat sends “on” and “off” signals to the unit based on the surrounding temperature, you cannot have it located near a supply air vent or warm sunny window. It will cause the unit to turn on and off more frequently because the thermostat will be confused about the actual temperature in your home.

2. Refrigerant Problems

The refrigerant, or Freon, levels in your system may be too low. This cooling is crucial  for absorbing heat and cooling air, so when there is not enough of it, the compressor pressure levels become unstable, causing it to turn on and off repeatedly. This can cause severe damage to your unit, so if you notice a refrigerant leak, this should be serviced right away.

3. Cooling System is Too Big

The AC system in your home may be larger than needed. Seems odd, but if an AC system is too big for a home, it simply cools down the entire house quickly, therefore shutting off shortly after turning on. This may seem like a good thing, but unfortunately, it can increase your electricity bill and the chances of a breakdown. A simple assessment by a skilled technician can help determine if the size of your AC unit is a problem.

4. Airflow Restrictions

You may have a dirty air filter problem. When the air filter restricts airflow, the evaporator coil can become frozen, causing the unit to turn on and off. As a reminder, air filters should be replaced once in a month. You may do this more often if you are constantly running your air in the summer.