Your furnace keeps your family cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One frequent situation is a furnace that continuously kicks on and turns off over and over. This operating error is called short cycling. It stresses your heating system and may cause expensive repairs or even early replacement.
Short cycling can happen for a few reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the probable causes and how to take care of the issue.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t get a new filter regularly, it can eventually be clogged and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety device shuts off the furnace to stop getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, get a new 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 house and look for closed or blocked air vents. For proper 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 dirty, the air won’t flow properly, creating overheating and short cycling. Routinely changing the filter is the easiest approach to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Inspect your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Double-check the thermostat is in 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, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas shuts off sooner and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of cleaning a sooty flame sensor to an Expert like Comfort Masters Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes home comfort equipment, oversized isn’t always right. A larger system warms up your residence too rapidly, causing unpleasant temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to fix this problem is to request new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we went over here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to contact the Experts at Comfort Masters Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary service. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable 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 request HVAC repair, reach us at 847-250-6729 right away!
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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.