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3 Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Short-Cycling

A common furnace problem many homeowners run into is their furnace short cycling. Short cycling is when your furnace starts and stops too quickly and too often.

Here are 3 reasons why your furnace is short-cycling and what you can do to prevent this issue:

Not the right fit

If you recently installed a new furnace and are immediately experiencing short-cycling, it may be because your furnace is too powerful. This is why it’s so important to have professional HVAC technicians involved – to match the size of your furnace to your space.

If your furnace is too large, it will eat up too much energy while heating your home. An overpowered furnace also has difficulty ensuring that the warm air it produces is distributed properly. Which can cause the furnace to continually cycle off and on.

The costs of having an inefficient HVAC system can be high. These problems not only cause your electric bill to skyrocket, they also cause more wear and tear on your HVAC system – meaning you’ll need to plan for replacements and repairs more often.

Overheating

Your furnace may also be cycling because it’s trying to shut itself down to prevent damage from overheating. When a furnace overheats, it can create cracks in the heat exchanger – which can be deadly if not caught early. These cracks allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home.

Overheating is usually caused by restricted airflow. This may be because of a dirty filter, blocked interior vents, or a blocked exhaust vent on your roof. If you’re unsure of what the problem is or how to fix it, consider hiring a licensed HVAC technician to help.

Thermostat

Your furnace is linked to your thermostat so if your thermostat is malfunctioning, your furnace may be malfunctioning too! A problem with the thermostat can cause short-cycling, keep your furnace on all the time, or prevent your furnace from kicking on.

If your thermostat is working properly, the short-cycling may be because your thermostat is located next to a significant heat source (like a stove or large window) – which can trick your home into thinking it’s warmer than it is and cause your furnace to cycle more often.

Short cycling is a serious energy efficiency problem that can be costly and cause a lot of unnecessary wear on your HVAC system. If you’re struggling with cycling in your home, call the HVAC experts at A-Abel to get the issue under control.