If you live in Magee, MS and you’re still using the heat pump to cool your home, know that running it all summer could lead to certain problems. One of them is short-cycling, where the system shuts off before making a complete 10- or 15-minute cycle and leaves the home with lukewarm air. Below are some of the common causes of short cycling in a heat pump.
Clogged Air Filter
Hopefully, the solution is as simple as replacing the air filter. The average pleated filter becomes clogged after 90 days, by which time the dirt and dust will hinder airflow and affect the evaporator coil’s ability to remove heat from the home. This can cause the system to overheat, shutting it down prematurely as a safety precaution.
Refrigerant Leak
The system may also overheat because of a lack of refrigerant. This is the chemical that absorbs heat and releases it outside when the heat pump is in cooling mode. Sometimes, leaks can develop in the piping; hire a professional to address this because refrigerant must be handled carefully by an experienced technician.
Uncalibrated Thermostat
Maybe the heat pump itself runs fine, but the thermostat has issues that make it misread the indoor temperature. Without the proper calibration, it may think that the system has reached the set point and shut it down before it has actually cooled the house.
Oversized Heat Pump
The worst possibility is that your current heat pump is too big for your home. Oversized systems will cool part of your home too quickly, thus explaining the short cycles. This will also leave your home with higher humidity since it won’t run long enough to remove the moisture. This will require you to schedule an installation project.
Hux Air Conditioning guarantees that you’ll love what we do, whether we install a new system or maintain your current one, so call today for an appointment in Magee. Our NATE-certified technicians can help keep your heat pump running smoothly no matter its age or its make and model.
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