6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Switching Off and How to Take Care of It 

Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the chilly winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One common issue is a furnace that endlessly switches on and turns off all the time. This problem is referred to as short cycling. It strains your heating system and could cause expensive repairs or even earlier than normal breakdowns. 

Short cycling can be caused by for varying reasons. Before you book furnace repair, read about the probable causes and how to take care of the issue. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other substances that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it can become filthy and decrease the airflow. When this occurs, a safety feature shuts off the furnace to stop overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From here on out, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Blocked Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and check for unopened or blocked air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower has blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t move correctly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Regularly replacing the filter is the easiest method to prevent a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Examine your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Double-check 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 direct sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides. 

5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas shuts off prematurely and the furnace turns off. Leave the adjustment of fixing a faulty flame sensor to a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it includes HVAC equipment, larger isn’t always better. A larger system adds warmth to your residence too fast, causing unpleasant temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to fix this situation is to schedule new furnace installation. 

If you go through the fixes we covered here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to call in the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll review the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary repair. Our goal is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our work is supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, call us at 954-736-4314 today! 

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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.