When air conditioners run into trouble this time of year, homeowners pay attention. A faulty air conditioner can turn the average home into a hot house very quickly during a heat wave, which can pose a health risk to sensitive family members as well as reducing comfort levels to nil. The sooner one can recognize the signs of a problem, the better. And while only a professional technician should attempt to repair a faulty air conditioner, prudent homeowners can learn to watch for early signifiers indicating something is wrong.
Among the subtler indications of a problem is short cycling, when an air conditioner runs for just a short time and turns off, only to turn on again a few minutes later. It doesn’t sound like much, but in fact, it usually signals a significant problem. If it’s not dealt with effectively, it could spell big trouble for the system itself.