6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Switching Off and How to Repair It 

Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the frigid winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something is wrong. One common issue is a furnace that endlessly turns on and turns off over and over. This problem is referred to as short cycling. It stresses your furnace and might cause expensive repairs or even premature failure. 

Short cycling can be caused by for several reasons. Before you book furnace repair, review the likely causes and how to fix the issue. 

1. Filthy Air Filter 

The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could damage the furnace. If you don’t change the filter often enough, it can get filthy and block the airflow. When this takes place, a safety mechanism turns off the furnace to avoid overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From here on out, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop 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 home and check for unopened or obstructed air vents. For proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty 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 flow properly, leading to overheating and short cycling. Routinely replacing the filter is the simplest method to stop a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

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

5. Sooty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas turns off too soon and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of fixing a sooty flame sensor to a professional like Stevenson Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves heating and cooling equipment, oversized isn’t always better. A bigger system heats up your residence too fast, causing uncomfortable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to take care of this situation is to request new furnace installation

If you try the fixes we covered here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to call in the Experts at Stevenson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, figure out the cause, and provide the necessary repair. Our aim is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, give us a call at 614-334-3192 right away! 

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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. 

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