6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Turning Off and How to Take Care of It 

Your furnace keeps your house comfortable during the frigid winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is off. One common situation is a furnace that endlessly turns on and shuts back off over and over. This operating error is called short cycling. It strains equipment and might result in expensive repairs or even earlier than normal failure. 

Short cycling can be caused by for varying reasons. Before you book furnace repair, research the probable causes and how to fix the problem. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t change the filter regularly, it can get dirty and reduce the airflow. When this happens, a safety feature turns off the furnace to prevent getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, get a new one. From now on, get a new filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Obstructed Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and check for closed or crowded air vents. For proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower has blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t move properly, causing overheating and short cycling. Frequently putting in a new the filter is the best way to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Examine your thermostat next. This is the cortex of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Make sure the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions. 

5. Dirty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas switches off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the job of fixing a dirty flame sensor to a pro like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it includes HVAC equipment, oversized isn’t always better. A bigger system warms up your house too fast, leading to unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this issue is to request new furnace installation. 

If you try the resolutions suggested here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to reach the pros at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll take a look at the situation, pinpoint the cause, and do the necessary work. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, give us a call at 403-279-5760 now! 

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*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.