Why Is My Heat Pump in Saint Johns, FL, Short Cycling?

November 23, 2023

Standard heat pumps have heating cycles that should last 10 to 20 minutes, with two or three cycles per hour. Modulating heat pumps in Saint Johns, FL, may run nearly constantly to maintain your home’s temperature, or they may cycle for shorter times if they’re struggling. Below are some of the reasons your system may turn on and off quickly, which is also known as short cycling.

Faulty Thermostat

If your thermostat isn’t registering your home’s temperature properly, it may cause short cycling. The average digital thermostat should last roughly 10 to 15 years, though they may falter sooner. Consider replacing an aging thermostat or checking it against an independent thermometer to check the device’s accuracy.

Control Board Issues

The control board works with the thermostat to start and stop your heat pump at the proper time. If the control board suffers a failure, it may cause the system to short cycle regardless of what the thermostat sends. A service technician will test the control board during preventive maintenance to ensure that it’s sending the proper signals.

Dirty Air Filter

A heat pump depends on its ability to draw air into the system, heat or cool it and push it back out. The air filter protects it from airborne contaminants but can cause an airflow restriction at the front end. When it can’t move enough air through the system, it can cause unusual refrigerant temperatures, causing short cycling.

Low Refrigerant

Heat pumps use refrigerant to absorb heat from the air outside and bring it inside. Low refrigerant causes the outside coil to freeze up. The result is that safety sensors will trip, causing the system to shut down until it thaws.

Oversized Unit

It’s important to get the properly sized heat pump for your home. An oversized system will heat or cool your home too quickly, causing it to shut down prematurely. Once the air settles around your home, a new cycle will start only to shut down quickly again.

Get the most from your heat pump by getting to the bottom of why it’s short cycling. Call to schedule your heat pump repair with one of our friendly service technicians at Cool R Us, Inc A/C & Heating.

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