6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Shutting Off and How to Resolve It
Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is off. One common complaint is a furnace that continually kicks on and shuts back off over and over. This issue is called short cycling. It stresses your furnace and may cause expensive repairs or even early failure.
Short cycling can be the result of for a few reasons. Before you book furnace repair, research the probable causes and how to fix the situation.
1. Clogged Air Filter
The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can eventually be dirty and decrease the airflow. When this happens, a safety device shuts off the furnace to avoid overheating. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. Going forward, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling.
2. Clogged Air Vents
A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and check for unopened 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 covered in dirt, the air won’t move correctly, causing overheating and short cycling. Frequently replacing the filter is the simplest way to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book 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 on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions.
5. Dirty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the adjustment of cleaning a dirty flame sensor to a pro like Orangutan Home Services.
6. Oversized Furnace
When it includes home comfort equipment, oversized isn’t always best. An oversized system heats up your house too rapidly, creating uncomfortable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this situation is to request new furnace installation.
If you attempt the resolutions we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to reach the Experts at Orangutan Home Services. We’ll take a look at the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary work. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, give us a call at 602-906-0111 today!
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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.
