Your furnace cycles on automatically to warm your home. However, if your heating system runs and stops repeatedly, there could be several underlying problems. Typically, short cycling is common in both new and old units. However, when you notice this issue, it's crucial that you contact an air conditioning repair technician immediately. Here are four common reasons why your furnace runs and stops repeatedly.
1. Clogged air filter
If your filters are dirty, there will be restricted airflow. What's more, your furnace will struggle to warm your home, leading to overheating. The pressure on your heating unit can trigger the high limit switch. Essentially, the switch is a safety feature that prevents your furnace from excessive heating. If this is the case, you should hire an experienced AC repair technician to inspect your air filters. These components might need some cleaning or a replacement. Keep in mind that short cycling can lead to higher power bills, too. Therefore, it's vital to fix this issue before things get out of hand.
2. Faulty thermostat
A faulty thermostat might lead to frequent short cycling in your furnace. For instance, if the settings are incorrect, your heating unit won't function as it should. Additionally, a broken thermostat can cause your furnace to run and stop after a short time. It could be that your thermostat needs new batteries in order to work correctly, or there could be damaged wiring that requires the attention of a furnace repair expert. If possible, don't place your thermostat near a heat source because it tampers with the readings.
3. Improperly sized heating unit
Your furnace should align with your home's square footage and the number of people in a household. If your heating system is too big, issues could arise. Typically, your furnace will heat your indoor space quickly and shut off. After a while, the air will cool down, and the heating process will commence again. At this point, you should consult a furnace repair contractor to help you determine the right-sized furnace for your home.
4. Problem with the flame sensor
In other cases, your furnace could turn on and off constantly due to a corroded flame sensor. Additionally, this component could be covered in soot, causing short cycling. If your sensor is clogged, the flame fails to register and turn off the gas valve. As a result, your furnace will shut off immediately. Fortunately, an air conditioning repair technician can troubleshoot such issues and fix them to restore normalcy.
Consequently, the above issues could lead to short cycling within your furnace. If this is the case, hiring a professional AC repair technician to check and repair lurking problems would be wise.
