6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Turning Off and How to Fix It 

Your furnace keeps your family cozy during the harsh winter months, so it’s annoying when something isn’t quite right. One frequent complaint is a furnace that continually kicks on and turns off over and over. This operating error is called short cycling. It strains your furnace and might lead to expensive repairs or even early replacement. 

Short cycling can happen for several reasons. Before you book furnace repair, review the likely causes and how to resolve the problem. 

1. Clogged Air Filter 

The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can become dirty and block the airflow. When this happens, a safety feature turns off the furnace to avoid getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From now on, get a new 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 restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and be on the lookout for for shut or blocked air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower consists of blades that distribute air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t travel right, leading to overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the simplest way to prevent a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Check your thermostat next. This is the cortex of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Make sure the thermostat is set to 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 guides. 

5. Sooty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas shuts off too soon and the furnace shuts down. Leave the work of repairing a sooty flame sensor to a professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, bigger isn’t always right. A larger system heats up your home too quickly, leading to unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to request new furnace installation. 

If you attempt the fixes we mentioned here to no avail, it’s time to call in the professionals at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’ll examine the situation, pinpoint the cause, and perform the necessary service. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our repairs are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, give us a call at 866-397-3787 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.