While it’s possible to encounter a truly odd air conditioner issue—a nest of snakes in the outdoor unit, perhaps!—in general, AC technicians see the same handful of problems over and over. As a homeowner, if you can spot these problems when they start, you can get repairs sooner and avoid the major complications that occur when air conditioners are forced to run even though they’re struggling. One common symptom of serious AC problems that you should keep an eye (or ear) out for is short cycling. Here’s what you need to know.