Should my AC cycle every 10 minutes?

Author: Marina Willms DDS  |  Last update: Friday, March 28, 2025

Typical AC Cooling Cycles An AC that works will typically perform two or three cycles an hour. On moderately hot days, your AC should typically only run for 10-15 minutes to cool your house thoroughly.

Is it normal for AC to cycle every 10 minutes?

Posted on May - 25 - 2022. The air conditioner should turn on and stay on for at least 10 to 15 minutes if not much more. If your air conditioner continues to turn off after 15 minutes or less, or even only minutes after turning on, it is short cycling. Short cycling should always be addressed and corrected.

Why does my AC run for 10 minutes then stops?

Your air filter is dirty or clogged. When the filter is clogged, the system cannot pull enough fresh air through. As a result, your system may overheat, which will cause it to kick off before the cycle ends. The evaporator coils have frozen.

How long should AC be off between cycles?

Each cycle's length depends on the thermostat settings. Once the AC completes a cycle of about 15 and 20 minutes, it should remain off for 7 to 10 minutes. This helps it cool off before starting another cycle. The stops happen 2 to three times per hour.

Is it normal for my AC to turn on every 15 minutes?

Got a central air conditioner that turns on and off every few seconds or minutes? This is called “short cycling” (because normally the AC has a regular on and off “cycle” that varies with the outside temperature.) Short cycling wears out the outside unit's compressor.

Air Conditioner Condenser Short Cycling - 10 Possible Causes

How often should my AC kick on?

Ideally, air conditioning systems should cycle for 15 to 20 minutes. Instead of frequently turning on or running continuously, the air conditioner will turn on two or three times an hour. A high temperature inside or outside your house will increase cycling times.

Should I turn off my AC if it's short cycling?

Should I turn my AC off if it is short cycling? No, this is not necessary unless the evaporator coils are frozen, in which case, turn off your air conditioner to let the coils thaw.

What is considered short cycling?

Short cycling occurs when an air conditioning system starts a cooling cycle, shuts down prematurely and then starts back up a short time later. In other words, it's turning on and off too rapidly without fully completing a cycle.

Why does my AC turn on and off every 5 minutes?

Poor Airflow

If something blocks the flow of air, your AC needs to go into overdrive to make up for it, which could result in it overheating. And when your AC overheats, it shuts off to give the system a chance to cool down. Once cool, it turns back on again, and the vicious cycle of short cycling continues.

How long should an AC run before shutting off?

When things are working right, your central air conditioner should run for 15 to 20 minutes and then turn off for a few minutes. It will do this two or three times every hour. It may run longer when it's sweltering outside.

Why does my AC run for 15 minutes then shut off?

If your air conditioner is turning on and off quickly, it may be short cycling. Short cycling is a serious problem that will almost always lead to the AC condenser outside your house wearing out more quickly if you don't repair the underlying problem. The compressor motor is always under lots of strain as it starts up.

How to fix AC short cycling?

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can put an end to your air conditioner's short-cycling issues:
  1. Check your air filter. ...
  2. Check your thermostat placement. ...
  3. Check your air conditioner's refrigerant levels. ...
  4. Replace the low-pressure control switch. ...
  5. Check the compressor.

How to know if AC is low on refrigerant?

Warning Signs of Low Refrigerant in Your AC or Heat Pump
  1. Weak Airflow or Warm Air Blowing from Vents. ...
  2. Poor Cooling Performance. ...
  3. Constant Cycling On and Off. ...
  4. Ice Buildup on Refrigerant Lines or Evaporator Coil. ...
  5. Hissing or Bubbling Noises.

Why is my AC kicking on and off every 10 minutes?

This could be due to many things including, an improperly sized unit, poor thermostat placement, a clogged or dirty air filter, frozen evaporator coils or wiring and electrical problems.

Why does my AC work for 20 minutes then stops?

This may indicate that there is an issue with the electrical supply line or the capacitor could be broken or failing. This can be caused by the thermostat, electrical connections in the system, or the circuit boards.

Why does my AC run for 10 minutes then trip the breaker?

Typically, your AC breaker trips when there's a short circuit, the AC is overworking or a part is bad or malfunctioning. If you continue to run your AC, you could permanently damage the air conditioner. Get a professional AC repair tech out as soon as you can.

Why does my AC run for a little then stops?

Common Causes for AC Short-Cycling

Clogged air filters. Electrical problems. Thermostat issues.

How to tell if a thermostat is bad?

A bad thermostat can be detected when your AC or furnace is not turning on, your HVAC systems are not turning off, the thermostat not responding, your HVAC system is short-cycling, the room temperature not matching the temperature displayed on the thermostat, and the programmed setting resetting themselves.

How to unclog an AC drain?

To unclog an AC drain line, turn off the power to the unit. Locate the drain line and use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. Flush the line with water using a garden hose or cup of water. Check and clean the drain pan under the indoor unit.

How often should an air conditioner cycle on and off?

Understanding how often your AC should turn on and off can help you maintain a comfortable and energy-efficient home. Ideally, your AC should cycle two to three times per hour during normal weather conditions.

How do I know if my thermostat is causing short cycling?

Turn your thermostat on and wait 15 minutes before comparing temperature readings. If the difference between what your thermostat says and what the thermometer says is more than a degree, your thermostat may need to be recalibrated.

What is considered a shorter cycle?

Research has actually found that most cycles are somewhere between 21 and 35 days long, and the average menstrual cycle length is 29 days. Only about 1 in 8 have a cycle that's 28 days long. Cycles that are shorter than 24 days are considered short cycles.

How to diagnose AC short cycling?

When your AC turns on, it will usually need to run for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to cool your home completely. If the AC turns on and quickly shuts off again within a couple of minutes, there might be a major issue causing your unit to short cycle.

How much does it cost to fix a short cycling AC unit?

Central AC Short Cycling

Homeowners spend between $75 and $600 to deal with short cycling issues in their central AC systems.

What is the minimum AC cycle time?

Short AC Cycle

It is an indication that something is wrong with your AC because the compressor keeps turning on and off in under 10 minutes. Since we know a cycle should last between 15 and 20 minutes, it's safe to say that 10 minutes is on the lower side.

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