Short cycling, when your home’s air conditioning unit turns on and off in short bursts, is one of the top energy wasters as a family in Amherst recently discovered. In comparing electric bills with a neighbor, this homeowner discovered that he was paying more than double and the culprit seemed to be the home’s air conditioning unit.
Not only is short cycling a waste of energy, but it also puts unneeded duress on the system. This extra wear and tear can lead to more frequent repairs and a reduced life span of the air conditioning system.
An Oversized Air Conditioning Unit May Be To Blame
One common reason for an air conditioner’s short cycles is a unit that is too big and powerful for the home. Homeowners often make the assumption that bigger is better, but in the world of air conditioners a unit that is too large can be a problem.
Oversized air conditioning units do cool rooms down quickly, however the problem is that the cooling happens so quickly that they are not able to properly dehumidify the air at the same time. The room, while cool, then ends up feeling damp and sticky. This can also cause greater fluctuations is temperature from room to room.
Correcting a Short Cycling Problem
One of the biggest problems with these short bursts from the air conditioning unit is the wear and tear on the motor and components. For this reason, you will want to address the issue. A technician can look at the size of your unit, the refrigerant level and rule out if the electrical components are in need of repair.
The homeowner in Amherst did have an oversized unit cooling the home. Replacing the system, in favor of one more suitable to the home’s square footage, corrected the problem. He is already enjoying the benefits of lower utility bills during the summer months.
The post Air Conditioner’s Short Cycles Cost Amherst, NH Homeowner appeared first on Joyce Cooling & Heating - Nashua, NH.
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