Your furnace keeps your family comfortable during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is wrong. One frequent situation is a furnace that continually turns on and shuts back off over and over. This operating error is known as short cycling. It stresses your furnace and might cause expensive repairs or even premature replacement.
Short cycling can be the result of for a few reasons. Before you book furnace repair, review the potential causes and how to fix the issue.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could damage the furnace. If you don’t replace the filter frequently, it can eventually be dirty and decrease the airflow. When this happens, a safety device switches off the furnace to avoid overheating. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From now on, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and look for unopened or blocked 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 dirty, the air won’t flow correctly, causing overheating and short cycling. Regularly changing the filter is the simplest 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. Ensure the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature shown on the screen. Try putting in new batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of fixing a faulty flame sensor to a professional like Wesley Wood Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it involves heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always better. A bigger system heats up your residence too fast, creating unpleasant temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to schedule new furnace installation.
If you attempt the fixes suggested here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to contact the professionals at Wesley Wood Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, diagnose the cause, and perform the necessary repair. Our priority is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our work is supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, reach us at 484-401-7577 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.