Dealing with a furnace that frequently cycles on and off is not something most homeowners want to deal with during the winter season. Not only is it frustrating, but it can also be damaging to their heating system. Short cycling, which occurs when your furnace turns on and off more often than it should, can lower your equipment efficiency levels and possibly point to deeper issues within your system that need to be addressed promptly.
Luckily, the team at furnaceguys is here to help guide you through the common causes for this problem and how you can fix it to restore your indoor comfort in no time. To learn more about this furnace problem, keep reading!
Why does my furnace keep turning on and off repeatedly?
There are various reasons why a furnace may short cycle. To solve the problem and make sure your furnace runs well for you, you need to first understand these causes so you can go about fixing them correctly. Let's take a closer look at some of these causes below:
- Thermostat errors: An inaccurate thermostat setting might lead to short cycling by misjudging the actual temperature within your house.
- Components that are dirty or broken: The accumulation of dirt on crucial components, including the blower motor or heat exchanger, can result in short cycling and the system overheating and shutting off.
- Wrong thermostat configuration: Incorrect thermostat settings or a temperature fluctuation that is too high may cause the furnace to cycle on and off more frequently than necessary.
- Faulty flame detector: When a flame sensor malfunctions, it may mistakenly identify the burner flame and quickly extinguish the furnace after it has been ignited.
- Issues pertaining to the limit switch: The furnace's temperature is controlled by a limit switch, and if it malfunctions, the furnace can shut off prematurely.
- Dirty or obstructed air filter: A blocked or dirty air filter restricts the flow of air, causing overheating within the compartment, which will cause the furnace to turn off. This is done as a safety precaution.
- Blocked or obstructed air vents: These can prevent the furnace from overheating and from cycling on and off by impeding proper airflow.
- Oversized furnace: An excessively large furnace may heat up rapidly and cut off prematurely, resulting in short cycling. This can happen when you install a furnace in your home without the aid of a professional HVAC company.
Signs Your Furnace Cycling is Abnormal
By keeping an eye on its operation and monitoring for specific signs, you can determine whether your furnace is short-cycling. The usual warning signs that the heating system may be short-cycling include the following:
- Regular on and off cycling: The most evident sign of brief cycling is the furnace going on and off more frequently than usual. If there are frequent and short heating cycles, this issue is most likely happening.
- Insufficient heating: It's possible that you won't be able to reach the desired temperature you want in your home due to the frequent cycling that's happening.
- Sudden temperature reading fluctuations: Keep an eye out for sudden variations in temperature on your thermostat display. The thermostat may swiftly achieve the desired temperature and then abruptly shut off as a result of short cycling.
- Strange noises: Keep an ear out for odd noises that precede each cycle, such as the furnace turning on and off again.
- Higher energy costs: Short cycling affects comfort and consumes more energy, which may be the cause of your rising utility bills.
It's critical that you look into the underlying cause of the problem as soon as you notice these symptoms. Start by inspecting and, if you feel comfortable doing so, changing the air filter. Next, confirm that the temperature and setting on the thermostat are correct. Additionally, you can look for any apparent problems. Make an appointment for repair with a qualified technician right away if the issue persists.
Why Work with a Professional HVAC Company
Homeowners can execute simple maintenance procedures on their own to address the majority of short furnace cycles. Nonetheless, there are times when professional repairs are required, especially when it comes to electrical problems, which are best resolved by qualified experts knowledgeable in how these different components operate.
A thorough grasp of the parts of the furnace is necessary to solve complex issues like a damaged limit switch, a broken thermostat, or a faulty flame sensor. Furthermore, specialized instruments are frequently required for repairs and diagnostics, and they are usually only accessible to professionals.
For a number of reasons, timely and expert support is essential. First off, a skilled HVAC specialist can precisely determine the underlying reason for short cycling, protecting the furnace from future harm. If complex problems are ignored, they may require costly repairs that are more damaging to your heating system overall.
Professional diagnosis also helps to ensure safety and peace of mind by reducing the risks related to electrical parts and gas-related problems. It's best to have an experienced technician look over your furnace if you don't feel comfortable doing basic checks.
Contact furnaceguys Today!
Is your furnace short-cycling? If so, the professional HVAC team from furnaceguys is here to help restore your indoor comfort. With years of professional experience and a team of leading technicians, furnaceguys is your go-to for swift, quality furnace repairs any time of the year.
We're available for repair and maintenance services 24/7/365 days a year, including after-hours, weekends, and holidays at no extra cost.
furnaceguys is pleased to partner with homeowners throughout Warman, Martensville, Stonebridge, Wildwood, Holliston, Nutana, City Park, Caswell Hill, Riversdale, and River Heights. If you live in any of these communities, please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule your furnace repair appointment Today!
You can contact the team at furnaceguys directly or use our online booking form. We look forward to partnering with you.
