Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the harsh winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is off. One frequent complaint is a furnace that endlessly kicks on and switches off again. This problem is referred to as short cycling. It stresses equipment and might result in expensive repairs or even earlier than normal failure.
Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you request furnace repair, research the potential causes and how to resolve the problem.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter frequently, it can get dirty and block the airflow. When this happens, a safety feature turns off the furnace to avoid getting too hot. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Blocked Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and be on the lookout for for shut or crowded air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms.
3. Dirty Blower Wheel
The furnace blower uses blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t travel right, causing overheating and short cycling. Regularly putting in a new the filter is the easiest method to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule 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. Make sure the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature shown on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct 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 guides.
5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor
The flame sensor switches off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas switches off too soon and the furnace turns off. Leave the job of fixing a dirty flame sensor to a professional like Epperson Service Experts.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes HVAC equipment, larger isn’t always better. A bigger system warms up your home too quickly, leading to intolerable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to do new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we covered here and nothing has changed, it’s time to call in the pros at Epperson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, diagnose the cause, and provide the necessary work. Our aim is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for the remainder of the season. And our repairs are supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, call us at 843-619-3781 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.