When the temperature in your home drops, your furnace kicks on and produces enough heat to bring it back up to the desired level. Short cycling of your furnace occurs when it switches on and off frequently, preventing it from producing enough warm air to keep your home comfortable throughout the winter months.
Most furnace short-cycling problems should be addressed by a qualified HVAC technician. Homeowners can replace air filters, reset thermostats or change the batteries, but more complex problems will require a heating services expert.
Below are five furnace short cycling causes and solutions.
1. Overheating. The heat exchanger and gas burners are protected from damage by the furnace’s built-in safety shut-off mechanism. Airflow obstruction may be the cause of your furnace’s short cycles. Blocked furnace exhaust pipes and clogged air filters are common reasons for reduced airflow.
Check your air filter once a month for dust, debris or hair to prevent your furnace from overheating. Moving furniture that’s near supply vents is critical as well.
2. An oversized furnace. An oversized furnace means rapid warm air delivery and quick heating cycles of five minutes or less. The thermostat will send a signal to the furnace if the interior air temperature drops too low. This will instantly turn off the furnace. Finding the right-sized furnace is important when making a purchase.
A licensed HVAC contractor must be called if your furnace is cycling on and off.
3. Dirty flame sensor. If the flame sensor is contaminated, it won’t be able to detect the flames or natural gas in your furnace. If it doesn’t detect flames, the sensor will shut off the gas valve. At this stage in the life of your furnace, a thin layer of dirt and dust can often accumulate on the flame rod’s exterior.
Cleaning the flame sensor is the simplest approach to fixing a short-cycling furnace. A new furnace flame sensor will be necessary if the problem persists.
4. Thermostat failure. The position of your thermostat is vital for accurate home temperature readings. Your home may be overheating if your thermostat is near your furnace.
To get the most accurate readings, keep your thermostat away from the furnace, windows, supply vents, appliances and computers.
5. Exhaust vent obstructions. You might have furnace problems if your flue or exhaust vent pipe is broken or obstructed. The flue limiter will shut down the furnace in this case to protect you from carbon monoxide and other hazards. An animal or bird’s nest is a common cause of a blocked exhaust fan.
Let the heating installation experts at American Refrigeration help you solve the issue of inconsistent comfort during the winter months. Call (662) 337-7968 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
