Your furnace keeps your house warm during the harsh winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One common issue is a furnace that continually turns on and switches off over and over. This problem is referred to as short cycling. It stresses your heating system and might lead to costly repairs or even earlier than normal breakdowns.
Short cycling can be caused by for several reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the probable causes and how to resolve the problem.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t change the filter often enough, it can become clogged and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety device shuts off the furnace to avoid getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and be on the lookout for for closed or crowded air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t move correctly, creating overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the simplest way to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Inspect your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Make sure the thermostat is set to heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature displayed on the screen. Try putting in new batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in bright sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of repairing a dirty flame sensor to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to HVAC equipment, bigger isn’t always better. A bigger system heats up your house too rapidly, creating intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this problem is to schedule new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we covered here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to reach the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary work. Our priority is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, reach us at 440-252-1375 now!
---
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.