If the Warrington home’s furnace turns on and then a short time later shuts off, this is known as short cycling. Not only is short cycling hard on your equipment, but it also greatly reduces the efficiency of your furnace. Below, we describe what you should do if your furnace is short cycling.
Causes of Short Cycling
There are a number of reasons that your furnace might be short cycling. Here are just a few of them:
- Furnace is too big – In this case, your furnace will heat your home very quickly and then shut off. As your home cools again, the furnace will turn on and heat up your home once again. Having a properly sized furnace is critical to your home’s comfort and efficiency.
- Clogged air filter – This is by far the most common cause of short cycling. When your air filter clogs, it restricts air from getting into your furnace. As your furnace heats up the heat exchanger, air is supposed to blow over the exchanger to carry the heat into your home. Without that air flow, your furnace will overheat and shut off.
- Thermostat – Sometimes, the cause of short cycling is a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it could be turning the furnace on and off mistakenly.
Why Short Cycling is a Problem
- More wear on your furnace – With all the constant turning on and off, it puts extra strain on your furnace. This increases the rate of wear and can also potentially increase repair costs.
- Reduced efficiency – With the furnace turning on and off, it doesn’t get the chance to realize any kind of efficiency that comes from running for an extended period of time.
What To Do If Your Furnace Is Short Cycling
The first thing you should do is check your air filter. If it’s dirty, you should change it out immediately. Not only can a clogged air filter cause short cycling, but it can also be the cause of other serious issues with your furnace.
If that doesn’t fix the problem, then you will most likely have to call a heating contractor. Carney Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers complete furnaces services in Warrington. If your furnace is short cycling we can come to your home, diagnose the problem and offer a solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why does my furnace keep turning on and off frequently?
Answer: A furnace that turns on and off repeatedly is often experiencing short cycling. This can happen because of a clogged air filter, thermostat problems, restricted airflow, or an overheating system. When the furnace cannot run through a normal heating cycle, it shuts down early and restarts soon after.
Question: Can a dirty air filter cause a furnace to short cycle?
Answer: Yes, a dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of furnace short cycling. When the filter is clogged, it restricts airflow and causes the system to overheat. The furnace then shuts off for safety, cools down, and starts again, repeating the cycle until the issue is resolved.
Question: Is furnace short cycling a serious problem?
Answer: Short cycling should not be ignored because it can place extra strain on the furnace and reduce its efficiency. Constantly starting and stopping can increase energy usage and cause parts to wear out faster. Addressing the issue early can help prevent more costly repairs or premature system replacement.
Question: What should you check if your furnace keeps turning on and off?
Answer: Start by checking the thermostat settings and replacing the air filter if it is dirty. Make sure vents and registers are open and unobstructed. If the problem continues, it may be caused by overheating, improper system sizing, or a mechanical issue that requires professional inspection.
Question: When should you call an HVAC professional for furnace short cycling?
Answer: If basic troubleshooting steps do not fix the problem, it is best to contact an HVAC professional. A technician can inspect components such as the heat exchanger, blower motor, and thermostat to identify the cause and ensure the furnace operates safely and efficiently.