It’s a familiar story for many of us in Singapore. Your air conditioner has been running for about 10 or 15 minutes, just long enough to start feeling that sweet, cool relief. Then suddenly… click. It shuts off. A few minutes later, it starts up again, only to repeat the whole process.
This frustrating problem is known as short cycling.
An air conditioner is supposed to run a full cycle to properly cool down your room and remove humidity. When it short cycles, it’s not just annoying—it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. This constant starting and stopping also causes major problems:
- Higher Electricity Bills: An aircon uses the most energy during startup. Constant restarting means you’re paying for a lot of startups and not much cooling.
- More Wear and Tear: This on-again, off-again process puts extra strain on the aircon’s parts, especially the compressor, shortening its lifespan.
- A Humid, Clammy Room: Because the aircon never runs long enough, it can’t properly remove moisture from the air, leaving your room feeling damp and uncomfortable.
So, why is your aircon short cycling? Here are the most common reasons we find.
1. The Simple Checks (Things You Can Look at First)
Before calling for help, there are a couple of common culprits you can investigate yourself.
- A Dirty, Clogged Air Filter: This is the #1 cause of aircon problems. A dirty filter suffocates your system, blocking airflow. The aircon has to work much harder, causing it to overheat and shut down as a safety measure. If you haven’t cleaned your filters in a month or two, this is the first place to look.
- A Problem with Your Thermostat: The thermostat is the “brain” of the operation. If it’s not working correctly, it can tell your aircon to shut off too early.
- Bad Location: Is your thermostat placed in direct sunlight or right next to a hot lamp? This can trick it into thinking the room is already at the target temperature.
- Accidental Timer Settings: Check if a timer or schedule has been set by mistake. Someone might have accidentally programmed it to turn off after a short period.
2. Overheating Issues (Your Unit Can’t “Breathe”)
If the simple checks don’t solve it, your aircon is likely shutting down to protect itself from overheating.
- Dirty Outdoor Coils: The outdoor unit (the condenser) is responsible for releasing all the heat it has removed from your home. Over time, the metal fins on the outside get covered in dust, dirt, and grime. When this happens, the heat gets trapped. The pressure inside the unit builds up, and a safety switch will shut the system down to prevent damage.
- Frozen Indoor Coils: Ironically, a lack of airflow from a dirty filter can cause the indoor coil to become too cold and freeze into a block of ice. This ice blocks the air completely, and the system will shut down.
3. Hidden System Problems (When to Call a Pro)
If it’s not the filters or overheating, the issue is likely a technical fault that needs a professional technician.
- Clogged Drain Line: Your aircon produces water as it dehumidifies the air. This water flows out a drain pipe. If this pipe gets clogged with slime, water will back up. A safety float switch will then trip and shut down your unit to prevent a flood.
- Low on Refrigerant (Gas Leak): Your aircon uses refrigerant gas to cool the air. If there’s a leak, the system won’t have enough gas to work properly. Safety sensors will detect the low pressure and shut the compressor off to protect it.
- Electrical Faults: The problem could be a loose wire, a failing capacitor that can’t keep the motor running, or an issue with the main circuit board. Sometimes, the aircon might be sharing an electrical circuit with other powerful appliances, and when the aircon kicks on, it causes a voltage drop that shuts it down. These issues require a professional to diagnose safely.
How Vedha Stops the Cycle
A short cycling aircon can be tricky to diagnose, but our experienced team at Vedha knows exactly what to look for. We don’t guess; we investigate.
- We start with the basics: checking your filters and thermostat settings.
- We then thoroughly inspect the indoor and outdoor units for signs of overheating, like dirty coils or a struggling fan.
- We check and clear the entire drainage system to rule out a clog.
- Finally, we use our professional tools to safely check for electrical faults and, if needed, measure the refrigerant pressure to identify any leaks.
We’ll find the root cause of the problem and explain what needs to be done, so you can enjoy uninterrupted cool air again.
Don’t put up with an aircon that can’t make up its mind. Short cycling is costing you money and damaging your unit.
Call the experts at Vedha Construction at 96540044 or send us an email to get it fixed right.
Vedha Aircon Repair Service, Fair Prices, No Fuss.
We specialize in Aircon installation, repair, and service. We have all type & model of recon compressor, full set & fancoil. Our technicians are highly proficient in their respective field and repairs and fixes aircon of various brands.
