Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s annoying when something isn’t quite right. One common situation is a furnace that continually turns on and turns off over and over. This problem is known as short cycling. It strains equipment and could result in costly repairs or even premature failure.
Short cycling can be the result of for several reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the potential causes and how to resolve the situation.
1. Filthy Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it can eventually be dirty and reduce the airflow. When this happens, a safety mechanism shuts off the furnace to stop getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From here on out, install a new filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and look for closed or crowded air vents. For proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unused rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower uses blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t flow properly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Regularly replacing the filter is the easiest method to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Check your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Double-check the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature shown on the screen. Try putting in new batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in bright sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips.
5. Sooty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas turns off sooner and the furnace turns off. Leave the work of repairing a sooty flame sensor to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves HVAC equipment, larger isn’t always better. A larger system adds warmth to your home too quickly, leading to unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to take care of this problem is to do new furnace installation.
If you go through the solutions suggested here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to contact the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll examine the situation, diagnose the cause, and do the necessary repair. Our aim is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our repairs are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, call us at 303-647-5749 now!
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*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.