Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One common issue is a furnace that endlessly switches on and turns off again. This issue is known as short cycling. It strains equipment and may lead to expensive repairs or even early breakdowns.
Short cycling can be caused by for varying reasons. Before you request furnace repair, read about the potential causes and how to fix the problem.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it can get filthy and reduce the airflow. When this takes place, a safety feature turns off the furnace to prevent overheating. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Obstructed Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and look for unopened or obstructed 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 travel right, leading to overheating and short cycling. Regularly putting in a new the filter is the simplest method to prevent 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 cortex of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Ensure the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature shown on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct 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 guides.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas turns off too soon and the furnace shuts off. Leave the adjustment of repairing a dirty flame sensor to a professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves home comfort equipment, bigger isn’t always better. A bigger system warms up your home too rapidly, creating intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to fix this issue is to request new furnace installation.
If you go through the resolutions we went over here and nothing has changed, it’s time to call in the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll examine the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary repair. Our goal is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, reach us at 587-404-0790 right away!
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