When a system starts and stops in rapid bursts instead of running steady cycles. Causes range from oversizing to a clogged filter or failing part — and in summer it guts dehumidification, which is why short-cycling homes feel clammy.
Around Baltimore, Annapolis, and the DC metro, cooling decisions revolve around humid Mid-Atlantic summers, correct sizing for row houses and older homes, SEER2 efficiency, and whether a repair or a planned replacement is the smarter long-term spend.