Your furnace keeps your you warm during the frigid winter months, so it’s annoying when something is off. One routine situation is a furnace that endlessly switches on and turns off over and over. This operating error is referred to as short cycling. It strains your furnace and may cause expensive repairs or even premature breakdowns.
Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, read about the likely causes and how to fix the situation.
1. Filthy Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter frequently, it can become filthy and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety device shuts off the furnace to stop overheating. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From here on out, install a new filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent 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 check for closed or crowded air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t travel properly, causing overheating and short cycling. Regularly changing the filter is the easiest method to prevent 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 cortex of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Make sure the thermostat is set to heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you use a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips.
5. Sooty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas turns off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the job of repairing a faulty flame sensor to a professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves heating and cooling equipment, bigger isn’t always right. An oversized system adds warmth to your house too quickly, causing intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to resolve this issue is to do new furnace installation.
If you try the resolutions we covered here to no avail, it’s time to reach the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll take a look at the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary repair. Our priority is to restore 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 information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, reach us at 901-235-1196 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.