Having a smart thermostat isn’t just smart for spending less on heating costs. It can also let you know if there’s an issue with your furnace.
The Google Nest is equipped with a feature called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it detects an issue with your heating system. You’ll notice the alert on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.
One of the most typical problems is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s what's doing on and how you can fix it.
Your Furnace is Short Cycling
When you get the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” it's saying your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace switches on for a brief period of time then turns off. This HVAC game of red light, green light stops your home from being warm and can drive up your energy bill. It can also increase deterioration on your furnace. It may also be more likely to break down and may even require replacement sooner.
Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not detect your furnace is turning on and off often, since its blower fan might keep going. This feature can pick up on power interruptions that occur during short cycling.
How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?
There are a few simple ways you can keep your furnace from short cycling.
Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
If your air filter is too dirty, it will limit airflow. Your furnace will then shut down prematurely to avoid overheating. We encourage replacing flat filters every month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of replacing your filter by setting up a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.
If you’ve replaced your filter after receiving a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can do a test to see if that fixes the problem.
- Push the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select "settings" and then "equipment."
- The thermostat will show the wires linked to it. Select "continue."
- You’ll see system components displayed. Select "test."
- Select "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run a 15-minute heating test and give you the results when it’s finished.
Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t pass the test, something else could be awry that needs professional help. If this happens, contact Epperson Service Experts at 843-619-3781 for furnace repair.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor
Having a dirty or bad flame sensor is another top explanation why your furnace is short cycling. You can tell if there’s a problem by watching your furnace as it turns on. Here’s what to check for.
- Remove the door from your furnace so you can look at the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not have to remove the door for this.
- Turn on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a higher indoor temperature.
- When you switch on the heat, the fan will begin running first. You should notice it turn on.
- The ignitor will start to glow. The ignitor is either on the left or right of the burners, but it depends on the furnace model.
- Once the ignitor is warm enough, the gas will switch on and the burners will ignite.
- If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually because it’s dirty or malfunctioning. Your furnace will then shut off as a safety precaution. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll notice the flame and fan shutting down after a couple of seconds.
If you’re wondering how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire constantly, a blend of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin layer of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will end the short cycling issue. This task is best left to an Expert. That's because an HVAC professional like Epperson Service Experts will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.
Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently
Your high-efficiency furnace exhausts combustion gases outside through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get obstructed by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s always clear. If the pipe gets clogged, it can result in your furnace overheating. It could also cause carbon monoxide to flow back into your home, creating a potentially deadly situation.
However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that generally will prevent these situations from occurring. Households with small children will often find their kids have jammed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in an area that's accessible by tiny hands. Even this little amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The irregular flow of air into and out of the system triggers the pressure switch, which shuts off the burners. If this is the root of your problem, you will experience short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was tripped.
An Expert HVAC technician from Epperson Service Experts can look up the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can read the error codes furnace manufacturers produce, so you will still require a pro to assist you.
Let the Experts Solve Your Short Cycling Furnace
If you get the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Epperson Service Experts, our Experts have the expertise to fix any furnace problem quickly and affordably. What’s even better is that we stand behind our repairs with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.* To book your appointment, call us at 843-619-3781 or schedule online.
*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.