Using a smart thermostat isn’t just wise for spending less on heating expenses. It can also alert you if there’s an issue with your furnace.
The Google Nest is equipped with a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will let you know if it senses a problem with your heating system. You’ll see the alert on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.
One of the most common issues is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s what's doing on and how you can fix it.
Your Furnace is Short Cycling
When you see the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” it's saying your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace turns on for a short period of time then switches off. This HVAC game of red light, green light prevents your home from being warm and can drive up your energy bill. It can also increase deterioration on your furnace. It may also be more susceptible to breaking down and may even require replacement more quickly.
Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off often, since its blower fan might keep running. This feature can detect power interruptions that happen during short cycling.
How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?
There are a few easy ways you can keep your furnace from short cycling.
Replace Your Air Filter Regularly
If your air filter is too dirty, it will limit airflow. Your furnace will then shut down prematurely to prevent overheating. We recommend replacing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of replacing your filter by setting up a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.
If you’ve replaced your filter after receiving a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can run a test to see if that fixes the problem.
- Press the ring to pull up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select "settings" and then "equipment."
- The thermostat will display the wires linked to it. Choose "continue."
- You’ll see system components shown. Select "test."
- Select "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run a 15-minute heating check and tell you the results when it’s done.
Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t pass the test, something else could be wrong that requires professional assistance. If this happens, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 403-279-5760 for furnace repair.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor
Having a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor is another top explanation why your furnace might short cycle. You can tell if there’s a problem by watching your furnace as it starts up. Here’s what to look for.
- Take off the door from your furnace so you can see the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not have to remove the door for this.
- Switch on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a higher indoor temperature.
- When you turn on the heat, the fan will begin running first. You should hear it turn on.
- The ignitor will start to glow. The ignitor is either on the left or right of the burners, but it depends on the furnace model.
- Once the ignitor is hot enough, the gas will turn on and the burners will light.
- If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually due to the fact it’s dirty or malfunctioning. Your furnace will then turn off as a safety precaution. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll notice the flame and fan shutting down after a couple of seconds.
If you’re wondering how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire continuously, a combination of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin coating of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will stop the short cycling problem. This job is best left to an Expert. That's because an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.
Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently
Your high-efficiency furnace vents combustion gases outside through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get clogged by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to make sure it’s always clear. If the pipe gets plugged, it can result in your furnace overheating. It could also cause carbon monoxide to flow back into your home, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that generally will stop these situations from occurring. Households with small children will often find their kids have jammed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in an area that can be reached by tiny hands. Even this little amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system trips the pressure switch, which shuts off the burners. If this is the root of your problem, you will experience short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was triggered.
An Expert HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can check the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not evolved to the point where it can read the error codes furnace manufacturers create, so you will still need a pro to help you out.
Let the Experts Solve Your Short Cycling Furnace
If you receive the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, our Experts have the knowledge to fix any furnace problem quickly and affordably. What’s even better is that we stand behind our repairs with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.* To book your appointment, contact us at 403-279-5760 or schedule online.
*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.