Your furnace keeps your you warm during the harsh winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something isn’t quite right. One routine issue is a furnace that continuously kicks on and shuts back off again. This problem is called short cycling. It strains your heating system and could lead to expensive repairs or even earlier than normal breakdowns.
Short cycling can happen for a few reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the likely causes and how to fix the situation.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t get a new filter frequently, it can eventually be clogged and reduce the airflow. When this happens, a safety device shuts off the furnace to avoid overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop 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 be on the lookout for for closed or blocked air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied 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 flow correctly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Regularly putting in a new the filter is the best way to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Inspect your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try putting in new batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could impact the temperature reading. If you use a smart thermostat, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas switches off prematurely and the furnace turns off. Leave the job of repairing a faulty flame sensor to a pro like Peachtree Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to home comfort equipment, oversized isn’t always right. A bigger system warms up your house too fast, leading to unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this situation is to request new furnace installation.
If you go through the resolutions we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to call in the professionals at Peachtree Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary repair. Our aim is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, give us a call at 678-235-9699 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.