Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the harsh winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One routine issue is a furnace that continually switches on and switches off again. This issue is known as short cycling. It strains your furnace and might result in costly repairs or even earlier than normal replacement.
Short cycling can be caused by for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, consider the likely causes and how to take care of the situation.
1. Dirty Air Filter
The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other substances that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t get a new filter regularly, it can eventually be filthy and reduce the airflow. When this occurs, a safety mechanism turns off the furnace to avoid overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling.
2. Obstructed Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and check for closed or obstructed air vents. For proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower has blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t travel properly, creating overheating and short cycling. Regularly replacing the filter is the easiest method to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule 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. Make sure the thermostat is set to heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature displayed on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in bright sunlight or near a heat source that could impact the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor turns 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 shuts off prematurely and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of repairing a sooty flame sensor to an Expert like Gordon's Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes HVAC equipment, larger isn’t always best. An oversized system heats up your residence too fast, leading to intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to take care of this problem is to do new furnace installation.
If you try the solutions we mentioned here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to call in the Experts at Gordon's Service Experts. We’ll take a look at the situation, diagnose the cause, and perform 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 repairs are upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to schedule HVAC repair, call us at 405-432-2197 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.