Definition
When a system turns on and off too frequently, never completing a full cycle. It wears out components fast and usually points to an oversized unit or a fault.
Why this matters for your home
Short cycling is when a system starts and stops in rapid bursts without completing a full heating or cooling cycle. Each startup is the hardest moment on the equipment, so frequent cycling accelerates wear on motors, compressors, and ignitors.
Causes range from an oversized system and a dirty filter to a failing flame sensor or low refrigerant. Because the fix depends entirely on the root cause, we diagnose why it's cycling rather than just resetting it — a step that often prevents a much larger repair later.