Learn Why Your Furnace is Short Cycling

An efficient furnace is critical to a comfortable home during the cold season. So, you cannot afford to live with a furnace that misbehaves even for a day.

Among the common issues that homeowners experience with their furnaces is short cycling. Short cycling is where the furnace turns on and off more frequently than usual. This problem seems minor, but if unresolved, short cycling causes high energy bills and puts unnecessary wear on the heating system, which can lead to a total breakdown.

Discover the possible causes of furnace short cycling and how to fix them.

A Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

The air filter traps dirt, dust, and other particles from the air before the clean air gets to the furnace. Over time, the air filter may become clogged with these particles, restricting airflow. Consequently, the furnace may overheat to make up for the reduced airflow. This issue forces the furnace to shut off prematurely to prevent overheating and further damage.

To prevent this issue, clean or replace your air filter regularly. This step is critical, especially if you have pets or live in an area with a high pollen count.

A Faulty Thermostat

The thermostat determines when the furnace should turn on to maintain the set temperature. If this component fails or the temperature is set incorrectly, the furnace may turn on and off more frequently than necessary.

First, check if the temperature setting is correct. Maybe someone in your household inadvertently changed the temperature or set it too low.

If the temperature is set correctly, but the furnace is still short cycling, the thermostat may have a problem. You will need to consult a professional technician for further diagnosis and repair in this case.

An Incorrectly Sized Furnace

The right furnace size depends on several factors, such as the square footage of your home, the climate, and the system efficiency. If your furnace is too small or too large for your home, the system will not operate efficiently.

For instance, the system will heat the room quickly if the furnace is too big for your space. As a result, the furnace will turn off before it can cycle through the entire heating process.

The only way to know if you have the right furnace size is to consult a professional contractor. The specialist can consider all the necessary factors and recommend the best unit for your home.

A Clogged Flue Pipe

The flue pipe removes the harmful gases produced when the furnace is in use. If this pipe becomes clogged, perhaps due to a bird's nest or debris, the gases will not be able to escape and will build up inside the furnace, which can be dangerous to your family. In response to this disaster, the furnace will shut down to prevent the gases from entering your home.

Call a professional technician immediately if you suspect your flue pipe is clogged. Do not try to fix the problem yourself, as you could end up putting your family in danger.

An Old or Damaged Furnace

Even with proper maintenance, a time comes when the furnace can no longer operate efficiently and will need replacement.

Parts start to fail and break down, and the system can no longer warm your space as adequately as it used to. In this case, the best solution is to replace the furnace with a new and improved model.

Now that you understand the possible causes of furnace short cycling, you can take steps to prevent the issue. And if your furnace is already short cycling, don't hesitate to contact us at Central York Corp for timely and professional furnace repair services. We have the experience and expertise to quickly diagnose and fix the problem so you and your family can stay warm and comfortable.