Short-cycling is the term HVAC professionals use to describe an air conditioner or heater that seems to turn on and off repeatedly without really doing much work to actually cool or heat the home. If your air conditioner is stuck on a short cycle, it's likely in need of some kind of AC repair. While some fixes might be best left for a professional, here are some of the possible problems and solutions that you could try tackling on your own.

Your Filter Is Clogged

When's the last time you cleaned or replaced your air filter? If you're like many homeowners, the answer is not often enough. Getting lazy about your air filter can make your entire AC system run much less efficiently, and this will lead to it turning on and off more frequently than it should. Switch out the filter and then wait a few cycles to see if that fixes the problem. If not, there's likely another issue in play.

Your Thermostat Is Unclean or Broken

When it comes to AC maintenance, many homeowners think about super important parts like the condenser. But a short-cycling AC can be caused by one of the simplest parts of the entire system, and that's your thermostat. If your thermostat is broken or even just dirty, it could be giving a false reading to the rest of your HVAC system, and that, in turn, will make the entire system turn on or off when it should not be doing so. Try taking your thermostat apart and cleaning out any dust. Make sure all wires are still connected as well. 

Get Professional Help If Needed

While there are at least a couple of quick things you can do try and fix a short-cycling AC, a more complicated problem like a loss of refrigerant might need to be tackled by a professional. You'll want to contact a local AC repair service as soon as possible if you are not able to quickly solve the problem yourself. Every time your AC turns on or off, it's putting additional wear and tear on your entire HVAC system or the mechanical parts that make the air conditioner work. Failing to address this problem in a timely fashion won't just leave your house at the wrong temperature; it will also make it more likely that other parts will break down or that you'll need a full replacement unit sooner rather than later. Contact a local AC expert today for more information.