Things That Make Your Furnace Kick On And Off Too Fast
If your furnace doesn't run very long when it kicks on, it might be short cycling. This problem causes your furnace to turn on and off a lot more than it should. That can wear down parts and drive up your power bills.
If you can't find a simple reason why this is happening, such as a clogged filter, then call a heating repair company for assistance, because short cycling is often a symptom of overheating, and that can be hazardous for your furnace. Here are some possible causes of furnace short cycling.
Lack Of Adequate Airflow
If air doesn't flow through your furnace in adequate amounts, your furnace can suffer from a lot of problems. It may not seem like a dusty filter could be that bad, but a clogged filter can lead to damage to your equipment. Fortunately, you can fix problems with low airflow yourself.
Start with the filter. Replace it to see if that makes a difference. While you wait, check your registers to make sure you haven't stacked boxes or moved furniture on top of them. The incoming air can't be restricted, and the outgoing air has to be sufficient, or your furnace may overheat and start short cycling.
The Flame Sensor Is Faulty
A faulty flame sensor is a common cause of short cycling, so your heating repair technician may check it first. The sensor is supposed to detect the flame created when the gas turns on and your furnace ignites. If the sensor doesn't detect the flame, even if a flame is present, the sensor shuts your furnace down right away.
This is done to protect your home from a gas leak, so the sensor is an important furnace part. However, when it's faulty, the heating repair technician has to replace it or clean it so the sensor works properly and short cycling stops.
The Blower Isn't Working
The blower is a fan in your furnace that pushes hot air out and through the ducts. If a blower gets clogged up with dust, there won't be enough air movement in the furnace and your furnace might overheat. The blower motor might also be to blame. If it or the capacitor malfunctions, your furnace might overheat and lead to short cycling.
A heating repair technician can solve this problem by cleaning the blower fan or by replacing a bad capacitor or motor. When the blower works properly, airflow is enhanced so problems with overheating are minimized.
A heating repair technician may need to troubleshoot the thermostat too before finding the source of your furnace problem. However, the technician can test all the parts if necessary to find the faulty one. Plus, they can also check error codes on your furnace for clues to the cause of short cycling so repairs can be done as quickly as possible.
For more information, contact a heating repair specialist in your area.
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