There are various ways to fix the problem with your GE air conditioner short cycling, either by yourself or by contacting a professional.
Although short cycling in air conditioners is not uncommon, it can still be an inconvenience and may even run up your electricity bill unnecessarily.
However, when it comes to GE air conditioners short cycling, there are a few possible causes and solutions that could fix each of these problems. Fixing the issues with the compressor, coils, or refrigerant may prevent short cycling.
What is short cycling?
So-called short cycling is a common issue that occurs with air conditioners of many different models, shapes, and sizes, where the air conditioner will turn off before your space has reached the cooler temperature that you have set on the air conditioner.
This can be very inconvenient as it is a waste of electricity, and your space will not get as cool as the air conditioner usually makes it.
How to fix a short cycling GE air conditioner
GE air conditioners come in a variety of sizes and styles, ranging from this smaller, 6000 BTU window air conditioner model, to this powerful 11000 BTU portable air conditioner model.
More than anything, they are known for being reliable and effective. However, some GE air conditioner models fall victim to short cycling.
If you have noticed that your GE air conditioner is running much shorter cycles than it did in the past, there are many issues that may be causing your air conditioner to short cycle, but fortunately, there are also many ways to fix each of these issues.
The first step to fixing issues with your GE air conditioner is to reset the entire unit. If your unit has a reset button, you can simply press this button, but if it does not, you need to reset it manually.
Resetting an air conditioner is akin to turning your phone off and back on again and this usually solves most issues.
However, if the issue persists, it could be an indication of a number of related problems. In this case, the issue may be that your compressor is overheating, that you have frozen coils, or that the refrigerant in your air conditioner is leaking.
This is why it is best to inspect each of these elements individually and carefully, so that you can locate the issue and fix it or contact a professional who can fix it for you.
How to fix an overheating compressor to stop your GE air conditioner from short cycling
If you suspect that your GE air conditioner’s compressor is overheating and this may be what is causing the problem, then the easiest solution is to clean the air filters and the inside of your unit thoroughly.
It is important to be gentle when you are cleaning the filters and the interior components of your air conditioner with a soft brush or air conditioner cleaning kit.
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This means not getting any of the components, besides the filter, wet and not bending or damaging any of the delicate components.
If your air conditioner blows out warm air or continually trips the breaker switch even after it has been cleaned, you need to call a professional to inspect and replace your compressor.
How to fix frozen coils to stop your GE air conditioner from short cycling
If your coils are frozen, your air conditioner has to work harder to take air in, cool it down, and release the air in your space again. This can cause the air conditioner to overheat and shut down. This is also why frozen coils, and an overheating compressor are often related issues.
In this case, you can either leave your GE air conditioner off for a long period of time so that the ice can melt, and the water can evaporate, or you can turn your fan settings to “High Fan” or “High Cool” modes, which will maximise the airflow over the coils and make the ice melt quicker.
It can be helpful to have some towels nearby that can soak up any excess moisture.
How to fix leaking refrigerant to stop your GE air conditioner from short cycling
Low refrigerant levels may cause your GE air conditioner to shut off prematurely as this can cause your coils to freeze and the unit to overheat.
An indication that the refrigerant in your air conditioner is leaking is that there will be moisture pooling underneath the air conditioner, which has a shiny film on it.
In this case, it is best not to continue using your GE air conditioner, until a professional can come inspect the unit for leaks and refill the refrigerant.