Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s annoying when something is off. One common issue is a furnace that continually turns on and turns off over and over. This operating error is called short cycling. It strains equipment and may lead to pricey repairs or even early failure.
Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you request furnace repair, read about the possible causes and how to take care of the issue.
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 regularly, it can get clogged and block the airflow. When this occurs, a safety feature turns off the furnace to avoid getting too hot. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From now on, get a new filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and check for closed 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 has blades that distribute air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t flow correctly, causing overheating and short cycling. Regularly putting in a new the filter is the easiest method to prevent 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 cortex of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Double-check the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas switches off prematurely and the furnace shuts off. Leave the adjustment of repairing a sooty flame sensor to a pro like Church Services.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes home comfort equipment, bigger isn’t always better. A larger system heats up your residence too fast, creating unpleasant temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to do new furnace installation.
If you try the fixes we covered here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to reach the pros at Church Services. We’ll review the situation, pinpoint the cause, and perform the necessary work. Our priority is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our repairs are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, call us at 713-396-3760 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.