Should My Heat Pump in Folsom, CA, Constantly Turn On and Off?

Read on for some common causes of your heat pump constantly turning on and off.

Heat pumps shouldn't cycle more than two or three times an hour. If you're facing this type of situation in Folsom, CA, have a service technician take a closer look. Short-cycling can point to one or more issues -- the most common are dirty filters and low refrigerant. Read on for some common causes of your heat pump constantly turning on and off.

Clogged Air Filter

Homeowners should understand that short-cycling usually occurs when the heat pump overheats and must shut down as a safety precaution. A clogged air filter can definitely contribute to overheating, as it forces the heat pump to work harder to circulate the air. Make sure to clean or replace the filter at least once every 90 days.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Short-cycling may also result from a lack of refrigerant to absorb and release heat from your home. Either the service technician who installed your system didn't put in enough refrigerant or it's leaking through the lines. The latter presents a hazardous situation and will require immediate attention.

Thermostat Isn't Calibrated

Most maintenance agreements include thermostat calibration because if the thermostat doesn't read the temperature correctly, it may mistakenly think that the heat pump has reached the set point and will shut it off prematurely. This could explain the short-cycling.

Oversized Heat Pump

Lastly, heat pumps with a cooling capacity that exceeds the size of their homes will cool rapidly and in short cycles. This does severe damage to the system. Apart from a complete system replacement, no solution for this exists.

To see what type of AC repair can fix your short-cycling heat pump in Folsom, call Jaguar Heating & Air today and schedule a convenient appointment. Our family-owned company will provide you with not only professional work but also attentive customer care at every step. We strive for same-day service whenever possible and offer flat-rate pricing.

Image provided by iStock

Recent Posts

Why Your AC Compressor Overheats on September Afternoons: Decoding Cumulative Fatigue — featured image

Why Your AC Compressor Overheats on September Afternoons

A sudden AC shutdown during late-summer heat is usually a sign of cumulative fatigue, not a death sentence. See how 95°+ days trigger thermal overload and what to do next.

Read article
Why Is It Humming? The Real Story Behind Buzzing Sounds from Your AC Disconnect Box — featured image

The Real Story Behind Buzzing Sounds from Your AC Disconnect Box

A buzzing AC disconnect box could be normal operation or a serious fire hazard. Understand what causes these noises and why you should never inspect high-voltage equipment yourself.

Read article
Myth vs. Reality: How High MERV Filters Can Choke Your Older HVAC System — featured image

How High MERV Filters Can Choke Your Older HVAC System

Thick, high-MERV filters might seem perfect for fall smoke, but they act like a solid wall to aging blower motors. See why this common upgrade causes older systems to freeze up and how to fix it.

Read article