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Nutone Central air conditioner is frequently cycling/short cycling

If your NuTone central air conditioner is short cycling, it may turn on and off repeatedly, run for only a few minutes, or fail to cool your home evenly. The most likely cause is a dirty or clogged air filter restricting airflow through the furnace or air handler. Check and replace the air filter at least twice a year, more often with pets, dust, or construction debris. Next, inspect the outdoor condenser coils. Dirt and debris prevent heat from leaving the system, which can overheat the compressor and cause short cycling. A defective wall thermostat or thermostat wiring is another possible cause, especially if its electrical contacts intermittently interrupt power to the condensing unit, furnace, or air handler. Less commonly, a clogged filter may allow the evaporator coil to frost over, or a failing control board may stop sending voltage to cooling components. This ac short cycling problem can involve 240V wiring, so shut off power at the disconnect box and circuit breaker before inspection, and leave line-voltage testing or repairs to a qualified technician. Refrigerant or other sealed-system work requires an EPA 608-certified HVAC technician. Enter your NuTone model number to find the exact replacement air filter, thermostat, or control board for your central air conditioner.

01 - Nutone Central Air Conditioner Air Filter

Check and replace the air filter at least twice a year, more often in dusty/dirty environments or if there is a pet in the home. A clogged air filter will greatly reduce the air flow of the furnace or air handler which can result in the unit short cycling when trying to cool the home.
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Highly Likely

02 - Condenser Coils are Dirty

The condenser coils dissipate the heat as the refrigerant passes through the coils. If the condenser coils are dirty, they won’t be able to dissipate the heat as effectively. As debris builds up on the coils, the heat pump will become less efficient, causing the unit to work harder to cool down. If the coils are significantly dirty, the heat pump will not be able to remove the heat from the outdoor coil, resulting in the compressor overheating and short cycling. Check the condenser coils to determine if they are dirty. Refer to owner's manual for cleaning instructions.
Common

03 - Nutone Central Air Conditioner Wall Thermostat

The wall thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace, air handler and condensing unit. If the contacts in the thermostat fail, the cooling system may turn on intermittently. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the wall thermostat does not show proper continuity, replace it.
Less Common

04 - Nutone Central Air Conditioner Wifi Thermostat

The WiFi thermostat has electrical contacts that control the power supply to the furnace, air handler and condensing unit. If the contacts in the thermostat fail, the cooling system may run intermittently. To determine if the thermostat is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity. If the WiFi thermostat does not show proper continuity, replace it.
Less Common

05 - Clogged Air Filter

If the air filter is clogged, air cannot flow properly through the home's venting system. This greatly reduces the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. In addition, if the air filter is clogged, the evaporator coils will frost over and not be able to remove moisture from the air. The air filter should be checked and replaced at least twice a year, more often in dusty/dirty environments. Refer to owner's manual for guidance.
Less Common

06 - Nutone Central Air Conditioner Control Board

The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace or air handler. If the control board fails, it might not send voltage to parts of the cooling system, causing a loss of cooling and frequent cycling.
Less Common

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my NuTone central air conditioner short cycling?
Can a dirty air filter cause my central air conditioner to turn on and off repeatedly?
How do I test the NuTone wall thermostat when the AC cycles too much?
Should I replace the NuTone control board if the air conditioner is short cycling?
How do I find the correct NuTone central air conditioner replacement part?