What is most likely to occur if the evaporator coil becomes covered with frost?

When the evaporator coil becomes covered with frost, it creates an insulating layer that impedes the proper transfer of heat between the refrigerant and the air. This reduced heat exchange primarily results in poor efficiency and effectiveness of the cooling process. Consequently, the compressor may frequently turn on and off in a cycle that is shorter than normal, often referred to as short cycling. This happens because the system struggles to maintain the desired temperature due to the inadequate cooling capacity provided by the frosted coil.

Both the frost accumulation directly impairs the system's ability to absorb heat from the indoor environment and indirectly leads to the compressor working harder to compensate for the lost efficiency. This can result in increased wear and tear on the compressor, potentially leading to failure over time. Hence, the combination of poor heat transfer and short cycling as a result of frost on the evaporator coil is the most accurate outcome.