Dealing with a furnace that repeatedly turns on and off can be pretty stressful. This common HVAC issue is called “short-cycling”, and is a safety feature that’s activated when the furnace detects something wrong with the system.
Learn common causes of furnace short-cycling and ways to fix them from one of your trusted air conditioning companies.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter is the most common cause of short-cycling. Air filters that are clogged with dirt will restrict airflow to the heat exchanger, which can cause the furnace to overheat and trigger the high limit switch by shutting the furnace down. The furnace will start again once it cools down.
Prevent this type of short-cycling by regularly changing your furnace’s filter. Clean or replace it monthly to keep your furnace working at optimal capacity.
Wrong HVAC Size
Furnaces can also short-cycle when your HVAC system is the wrong size for your home. Short-cycling can occur if your system is too large, with greater heating power than necessary, As a result, it heats up your house too quickly, then shuts off again. The energy bills for homeowners will be higher in these instances, as quite a bit of power is used up when the system turns off and then back on again frequently. Contact All Seasons, Inc., one of your leading furnace companies, if you think you have an improperly-sized HVAC system.
Thermostat Problems
A thermostat that’s not working properly can cause the furnace to shut off. First replace the thermostat’s batteries, then observe to see if the problem persists after an hour. Consider changing its location if it’s near a heat register or in the path of direct sunlight.
Choose All Seasons, Inc., one of the leading HVAC & electric panel companies, for your heating and cooling needs. Call us at (253) 203-6200 or complete our online form to request a free estimate. We serve clients in Tacoma and Puyallup, WA.
