Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the chilly winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is off. One routine situation is a furnace that endlessly kicks on and turns off over and over. This problem is known as short cycling. It strains equipment and might lead to pricey repairs or even premature replacement.
Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, read about the possible causes and how to resolve the issue.
1. Filthy Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other substances that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can get filthy and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety mechanism turns off the furnace to stop overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From now on, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and look for shut or blocked air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower has blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t travel correctly, causing overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the best method to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Examine your thermostat next. This is the brain 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 shown on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas shuts off sooner and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of repairing a faulty flame sensor to a professional like A1 Chesney Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to HVAC equipment, bigger isn’t always better. A bigger system heats up your home too fast, leading to intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to take care of this issue is to do new furnace installation.
If you go through the solutions we covered here to no avail, it’s time to call in the professionals at A1 Chesney Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and perform the necessary repair. Our aim is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, give us a call at 587-315-5271 today!
---
*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.