Your furnace keeps your home cozy during the chilly winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One common issue is a furnace that continually turns on and turns off all the time. This operating error is known as short cycling. It strains your heating system and could lead to expensive repairs or even early failure.
Short cycling can be caused by for several reasons. Before you book furnace repair, consider the probable causes and how to fix the situation.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it can get clogged and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety feature turns off the furnace to stop 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 prevent your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house 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 consists of blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t move properly, causing overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the simplest approach to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Check your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Make sure the thermostat is in 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 impact the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas shuts off prematurely and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of cleaning a faulty flame sensor to a professional like BW/Cook Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to home comfort equipment, bigger isn’t always best. A larger system adds warmth to your residence too rapidly, leading to uncomfortable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this issue is to schedule new furnace installation.
If you attempt the fixes we went over here to no avail, it’s time to reach the professionals at BW/Cook Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and provide the necessary work. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our services are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, reach us at 574-218-6404 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.