Why Does My Heat Pump Keep Turning On and Off?

Your heat pump should move through a regular pattern of action and rest that follows the changes in your home’s temperature. If the system turns on or off more often than necessary before completing a cycle, this is short cycling. Let’s look at several possible reasons your heat pump in Nokomis, FL, may start short cycling and keep turning on and off.

Dirty Coils

During an ordinary cycle, the refrigerant sitting in your heat pump’s evaporator coils absorbs heat from the neighboring air. Then, that refrigerant travels to the system’s compressor, putting it into a condensable state and sending it to the condenser coils. There, the refrigerant releases heat into the air in your home.

However, if debris covers any of the coils and prevents them from making contact with the surrounding air, this process won’t occur as smoothly. Consequently, your heat pump’s efficiency will decline, and you may see short cycling.

HVAC service technicians can clean your system’s coils. Remember to schedule your heat pump maintenance services at least once a year. We recommend twice if you use your heat pump all year.

Leaky Ducts

Corrosion, loosening connections between units, meddling animals, and ordinary wear and tear may all create gaps or holes in your HVAC ductwork. Treated air can escape through these holes, significantly diminishing your heat pump’s efficiency and causing air pressure imbalances to occur. The latter may trigger short cycling.

Electrical Issues

Since heat pumps run on electricity, they must have strong and reliable electrical wiring if they’re to function properly. So, if your system’s wiring has frayed, corroded, come loose or sustained any other sort of damage, electricity will run inconsistently. With an intermittent supply of power, your heat pump will begin turning on and off at unusual intervals.

If your heat pump continues short cycling, it may completely fail. To resolve this issue, call Custom Air & Plumbing to sign up for the best heating repair services around Nokomis, FL.

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