Your furnace keeps your home warm during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One common situation is a furnace that endlessly kicks on and turns off over and over. This problem is known as short cycling. It stresses your heating system and could result in pricey repairs or even early replacement.
Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, read about the likely causes and how to fix the issue.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter frequently, it can become clogged and block the airflow. When this occurs, a safety mechanism switches off the furnace to prevent getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From here on out, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling.
2. Obstructed Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and check for shut or crowded air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t flow right, creating overheating and short cycling. Regularly changing the filter is the best way to prevent a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Inspect your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Make sure the thermostat is set to heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Sooty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace turns off. Leave the work of cleaning a faulty flame sensor to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves HVAC equipment, larger isn’t always better. An oversized system adds warmth to your house too quickly, creating intolerable 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 we covered here to no avail, it’s time to call in the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll review the situation, figure out the cause, and perform the necessary work. Our aim is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and reliable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, call us at 303-647-5853 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.