Your furnace keeps your you warm during the harsh winter months, so it’s annoying when something is off. One routine complaint is a furnace that continuously turns on and turns off all the time. This operating error is known as short cycling. It strains your furnace and could cause costly repairs or even earlier than normal failure.
Short cycling can be the result of for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the probable causes and how to resolve the issue.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t replace the filter regularly, it can eventually be clogged and reduce the airflow. When this takes place, a safety feature turns off the furnace to prevent getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, get a new one. From here on out, install a new filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and check for unopened or crowded air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unused rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower uses blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t move right, causing overheating and short cycling. Routinely changing the filter is the best way to stop 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 brain of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is set to 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 impact the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
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 sooty, so the gas switches off too soon and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of fixing a faulty flame sensor to a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to home comfort equipment, oversized isn’t always better. A larger system adds warmth to your residence too fast, leading to intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to request new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions suggested here and nothing has changed, it’s time to contact the Experts at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll review the situation, diagnose the cause, and provide the necessary work. Our goal is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our services are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, give us a call at 239-908-6991 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.