Why does my AC turn on and off every few minutes?

Your AC turning on and off every few minutes is called "short cycling," and it's a sign that something is preventing your system from running properly. This wastes energy, increases wear on components, and reduces cooling effectiveness.

The most common cause is a dirty air filter. When your filter is clogged, it restricts airflow over the evaporator coil, causing the system to overheat and shut down for protection. Check your filter first - if it's dirty or hasn't been changed in over 3 months, replace it with a new one and see if the problem resolves.

Other frequent causes include refrigerant leaks, oversized equipment, or thermostat issues. Low refrigerant levels cause the system to struggle to reach the set temperature, leading to frequent cycling. An oversized AC unit will cool the space too quickly without running long enough to remove humidity properly. Faulty thermostats can also send incorrect signals to the system.

More serious issues like frozen evaporator coils, failing compressors, or electrical problems require professional diagnosis. A frozen coil often results from poor airflow or refrigerant issues, while compressor problems typically develop over time and need immediate attention to prevent complete system failure.

In Ottawa's climate, short cycling is particularly problematic during our humid summers when your AC needs to run longer cycles to effectively remove moisture from your home. TSSA requirements may vary for any electrical work - confirm with your licensed HVAC technician.

Turn off your AC and call for service if the problem persists after changing the filter. Continued short cycling can damage expensive components like the compressor. For a professional diagnosis of your AC short cycling issue, Ottawa HVAC Pro offers comprehensive system inspections to identify and resolve the root cause.

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