6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Shutting Off and How to Solve It 

Your furnace keeps your family cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One common complaint is a furnace that endlessly switches on and shuts back off over and over. This issue is called short cycling. It strains your furnace and might result in costly repairs or even earlier than normal breakdowns. 

Short cycling can be caused by for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, read about the potential causes and how to resolve the issue. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can become clogged and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety device shuts off the furnace to avoid getting too hot. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From here on out, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Obstructed Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and check for shut or obstructed air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

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

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Examine your thermostat next. This is the core 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 changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, check 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 is present. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas shuts off sooner and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of cleaning a sooty flame sensor to a pro like Stevenson Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it comes to home comfort equipment, oversized isn’t always better. A larger system heats up your home too quickly, creating intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to take care of this problem is to request new furnace installation

If you attempt the fixes suggested here and nothing has changed, it’s time to reach the professionals at Stevenson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary work. Our aim is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, reach us at 614-334-3192 now! 

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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. 

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