January 20, 2023
Furnace in Festus, MO

If you’ve noticed your furnace turning on and off more frequently than usual, it’s likely due to a phenomenon called “short cycling.” Short cycling occurs when your furnace turns on, runs for only a few minutes, then shuts off again. While this behavior may seem harmless, it can actually be quite detrimental to both your furnace and the comfort of your home. Read on to learn what causes short cycling and how to address it.

Causes of Furnace Short Cycling?

There are several common causes of short cycling, including a clogged air filter, a malfunctioning thermostat, a malfunctioning limit switch, a blocked flue or vent system, an oversized furnace, and lack of regular maintenance. Let’s take a closer look at each of these issues.

A Clogged Air Filter

Your air filter plays an important role in trapping dust particles that can damage the internal components of your furnace. However, if the filter becomes too clogged with dirt and debris over time, it can restrict airflow. This can cause the furnace to shut down prematurely before it has had time to adequately heat the home. To prevent this from happening regularly, make sure you replace your air filter every one to three months depending on usage.

A Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your thermostat is responsible for sending signals to the furnace when it needs to turn on or off. If there is an issue with either the wiring or the sensor in the thermostat itself—for example, if it’s not accurately reading room temperature—it can cause premature shutoff of your unit. A technician will need to verify that all connections are secure and functioning properly before replacing any faulty internal components.

A Malfunctioning Limit Switch

By turning off automatically when temperatures get too high inside its cabinet, the limit switch is responsible for making sure that your furnace does not overheat. If something has gone wrong with this part (such as dust buildup), then you may experience frequent shutoffs without warning until repairs are made.

A Blocked Flue or Vent

When it comes to efficient operation, the health of your vents and flues is crucial. If debris and dust accumulate inappropriately, airflow can become restricted. This, in turn, may lead to your system suffering from short cycling. Therefore, performing regular inspections and cleanings of vents and flues is necessary for full operational efficiency of your heating or cooling unit. Taking action early can help you avoid any major problems down the line.

An Oversized Furnace

Short cycling of your furnace can also be caused if it’s too big for your home. When an oversized furnace turns on, it quickly reaches maximum capacity without having enough time to bring the entire space up to a comfortable temperature. Putting in a heater that is under or over the correct size can create comfort problems through improper air distribution in the home and cause long-term damage to the equipment.

To get optimal performance when installing a new furnace, you should make sure that its specifications match up with the requirements suggested by manufacturers. Our professional technicians at Bone Heating & Cooling will assess your current needs and suggest proper sizing recommendations for ensuring you stay warm throughout the harsh winter months in Festus.

Lack of Maintenance

Regularly scheduled maintenance is essential for keeping any piece of equipment running efficiently and safely year after year, and this includes furnaces. Our technicians will inspect all parts of your unit in order to detect any potential issues that could lead to short cycling or other problems later down the road. Don’t wait until something goes wrong before calling in the experts.

Air Leaks

An air leak, whether attributed to improper installation, damage, or aging materials, can lead to fluctuations in the temperature level near the thermostat. That could result in short cycling issues. It is important when maintaining an air conditioner or heat pump that any air leakage be immediately identified and repaired in order to prevent further damage from occurring.

Get in Touch With Local Professionals

If you’re living near in or near Festus, MO and need heating, cooling, ductwork, or sheet metal fabrication services for your home or business, look no further than our team at Bone Heating & Cooling. We even handle water heaters and fireplaces, and we provide a wide range of services that can meet any HVAC need from installation and maintenance to repair. When installing a new system, we offer flexible financing options upon approved credit. Our certified technicians have years of experience in the industry and come highly recommended in this area. We’re confident that you’ll be satisfied with our results and customer service. Call us today to learn more.

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