6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Switching Off and How to Resolve It
Your furnace keeps your house cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is off. One common complaint is a furnace that continuously turns on and turns off all the time. This issue is referred to as short cycling. It stresses equipment and might cause costly repairs or even premature replacement.
Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you book furnace repair, research the likely causes and how to resolve the issue.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t get a new filter frequently, it can become clogged and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety feature switches off the furnace to avoid getting too warm. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, get a new filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only thing 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 proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower consists of blades that distribute air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t flow correctly, creating overheating and short cycling. Regularly changing the filter is the best approach to prevent a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Inspect your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Double-check the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in bright sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, visit 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 detect the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas turns off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of cleaning a faulty flame sensor to a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes heating and cooling equipment, oversized isn’t always right. A larger system warms up your home too quickly, leading to intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this issue is to do new furnace installation.
If you go through the fixes we mentioned here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to reach the professionals at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll examine the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary service. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our repairs are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, give us a call at 954-736-4314 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.
