Your furnace keeps your home cozy during the chilly winter months, so it’s annoying when something is wrong. One routine complaint is a furnace that continually switches on and shuts back off over and over. This issue is referred to as short cycling. It stresses equipment and could lead to pricey repairs or even premature replacement.
Short cycling can happen for several reasons. Before you request furnace repair, research the possible causes and how to fix the problem.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other substances that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t get a new filter often enough, it can get filthy and reduce the airflow. When this happens, a safety device turns off the furnace to avoid getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, install a new filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling.
2. Obstructed Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and be on the lookout for for closed or crowded air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t flow right, leading to overheating and short cycling. Regularly putting in a new the filter is the simplest method 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 instructs the furnace on what to do. Make sure 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 instructions.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas shuts off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the job of fixing a sooty flame sensor to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves home comfort equipment, bigger isn’t always best. An oversized system warms up your residence too rapidly, creating intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to fix this problem is to request new furnace installation.
If you go through the resolutions we covered here to no avail, it’s time to call in the pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll review the situation, figure out the cause, and provide the necessary service. Our priority is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our repairs are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, call us at 919-578-4329 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.