Your furnace keeps your you warm during the harsh winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One frequent situation is a furnace that endlessly kicks on and turns off again. This operating error is known as short cycling. It overworks your furnace and may lead to pricey repairs or even earlier than normal failure.
Short cycling can happen for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, consider the possible causes and how to take care of the problem.
1. Filthy Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t replace the filter regularly, it can get dirty and reduce the airflow. When this takes place, a safety mechanism switches off the furnace to prevent getting too warm. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, get a new filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and be on the lookout for for shut 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 covered in dirt, the air won’t travel right, creating overheating and short cycling. Routinely replacing the filter is the simplest way to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned.
4. Faulty Thermostat
Check your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is set to 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 affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas turns off too soon and the furnace turns off. Leave the job of repairing a sooty flame sensor to a pro like McElroy Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it comes to HVAC equipment, oversized isn’t always best. An oversized system heats up your home too rapidly, creating unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this issue is to request new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we covered here and you’re still having issues, it’s time to contact the pros at McElroy Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, pinpoint the cause, and do the necessary service. Our aim is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and reliable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our services are supported 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 308-210-4398 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.