Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the harsh winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something isn’t quite right. One routine complaint is a furnace that continually kicks on and switches off over and over. This problem is referred to as short cycling. It overworks your heating system and might lead to expensive repairs or even earlier than normal failure.
Short cycling can be the result of for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, read about the potential causes and how to resolve the situation.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other substances that could damage the furnace. If you don’t get a new filter often enough, it can eventually be clogged and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety device switches off the furnace to prevent overheating. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and check for closed or crowded 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 push air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t move right, leading to overheating and short cycling. Frequently replacing the filter is the simplest approach to avoid 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. Make sure the thermostat is on 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 bright sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you use a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas switches off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of cleaning a faulty flame sensor to a pro like Fras-Air/General Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes HVAC equipment, bigger isn’t always best. An oversized system heats up your home too quickly, causing intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this situation is to request new furnace installation.
If you attempt the fixes we mentioned here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to call in the Experts at Fras-Air/General Service Experts. We’ll examine the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary repair. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and reliable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our services are upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, call us at 908-448-2154 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.