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

Your furnace keeps your house warm during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One frequent issue is a furnace that continuously turns on and turns off over and over. This problem is called short cycling. It stresses your furnace and may result in expensive repairs or even earlier than normal failure. 

Short cycling can happen for a few reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the possible causes and how to resolve the issue. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t change the filter frequently, it can get filthy and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety mechanism switches off the furnace to prevent getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Blocked Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and look for shut 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 covered in dirt, the air won’t move correctly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Frequently replacing the filter is the simplest method to avoid 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 core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, go to 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 detect the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of fixing a dirty flame sensor to a pro like Fras-Air/General Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always best. An oversized system warms up your residence too fast, leading to intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this issue is to request new furnace installation

If you try the resolutions we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to contact the Experts at Fras-Air/General Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary service. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, reach 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. 

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