Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the chilly winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is off. One frequent issue is a furnace that continually kicks on and switches off over and over. This issue is called short cycling. It stresses your heating system and could result in costly repairs or even premature failure.
Short cycling can be caused by for several reasons. Before you request furnace repair, review the possible causes and how to take care of the problem.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other debris that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t get a new filter frequently, it can eventually be filthy and reduce the airflow. When this takes place, a safety device switches off the furnace to prevent getting too hot. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From here on out, 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 thing that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and be on the lookout for for shut or crowded air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty 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 correctly, creating overheating and short cycling. Regularly changing the filter is the simplest method to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Check 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 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 impact the temperature reading. If you use a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Sooty 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 covered in soot, so the gas shuts off prematurely and the furnace turns off. Leave the work of fixing a sooty flame sensor to a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes HVAC equipment, bigger isn’t always best. An oversized system adds warmth to your residence too rapidly, creating uncomfortable temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to fix this issue is to request new furnace installation.
If you go through the solutions we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to reach the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll examine the situation, figure out the cause, and perform the necessary service. Our goal is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, reach us at 561-629-1826 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.