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

Your furnace keeps your you comfortable during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is wrong. One routine issue is a furnace that endlessly kicks on and switches off over and over. This issue is known as short cycling. It stresses equipment and may lead to pricey repairs or even early replacement. 

Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the probable causes and how to take care of the issue. 

1. Clogged Air Filter 

The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other substances that could damage the furnace. If you don’t change the filter often enough, it can get dirty and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety feature turns off the furnace to prevent overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From now on, replace 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 thing that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and look for unopened or blocked air vents. For proper system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower uses blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are caked with dirt, the air won’t flow right, causing overheating and short cycling. Routinely changing the filter is the easiest approach to prevent a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Inspect your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Double-check the thermostat is set to heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature displayed on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in full sunlight or near a heat source that could impact the temperature reading. If you rely on a smart thermostat, check 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 going. The sensor can’t find the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas shuts off too soon and the furnace turns off. Leave the adjustment of fixing a sooty flame sensor to a professional like Stevenson Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it comes to heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always better. A bigger system warms up your residence too quickly, causing uncomfortable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to resolve this situation is to schedule new furnace installation

If you try the fixes we went over here to no avail, it’s time to reach the pros at Stevenson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary service. Our aim is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and trustworthy furnace performance for all season long. And our work is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, call us at 614-334-3192 today! 

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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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