It’s frustrating when your heat pump kicks on for a short period and then turns off without reaching the set temperature. This on-again and off-again behavior, known as short cycling, is not normal. It can render your Pensacola Beach, FL home uncomfortable and make your energy bills soar. There are a few different culprits that can make your heat pump do this, and discovering the cause is the first step toward fixing it.
Thermostat Needs Repositioning
Consider your thermostat as the brain of your HVAC system. If it’s not in the right place, like near a sunny window or a drafty door, the temperature readings will be inaccurate. Your thermostat may believe that the system reached the target temperature before it really has, and the heat pump can turn off before it should and start up again shortly.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter not only restricts airflow, but it can also cause your heat pump to cycle on and off repeatedly. To safeguard itself against overheating, the system may shut off before reaching a full heating or cooling cycle and then restart once it cools down.
Regular filter changes must be part of your HVAC maintenance routine. Change them every 30 to 90 days.
Oversized System
One would think that if you have a larger air conditioning unit or heat pump, you will be better off. However, an oversized system may cause short cycling. One with too much capacity can heat or cool the air in a room rapidly, turning itself off too quickly and not running long enough to dehumidify the area properly.
Electrical Problems
Electrical issues can occasionally cause short cycling. Intermittent loss of power to the heat pump can result from degraded wiring or a bad capacitor. These brief power losses can cause the unit to shut off suddenly and try to restart, leading to those annoying short cycling issues.
If your system inappropriately shuts down for any reason, it’s wise to call in the professionals because the problem will likely only get worse. Reach out to the experienced team at All Seasons Service Network for professional HVAC services today!
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