Your furnace keeps your family comfortable during the harsh winter months, so it’s annoying when something isn’t quite right. One common complaint is a furnace that continually turns on and switches off again. This issue is known as short cycling. It stresses equipment and might lead to pricey repairs or even premature breakdowns.
Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, read about the potential causes and how to resolve the issue.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could damage the furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can eventually be dirty and block the airflow. When this happens, a safety feature turns off the furnace to avoid getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From now on, install a new 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 reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and check for shut or crowded air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that distribute air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t travel properly, creating overheating and short cycling. Regularly replacing the filter is the best approach to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Check your thermostat next. This is the cortex 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 shown on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full 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. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas shuts off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of cleaning 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 right. An oversized system warms up your house too rapidly, creating intolerable temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to resolve this problem is to schedule new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we went over here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to contact the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll review the situation, pinpoint the cause, and perform the necessary repair. Our goal is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, give us a call at 321-428-7635 right away!
---
*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.