Reasons Your Furnace Might Be Short Cycling

Jul 2, 2017 | Uncategorized

Every winter, after months of summer and air conditioning repair in Conyers, the temperature drops, and furnaces must spring into an action. However, they often have malfunctions that require repair. One of the most common issues homeowners might face is called short cycling, when the furnace kicks on and off more quickly than it should. This can cause the furnace to wear down earlier than expected, leading to frequent and costly repair bills. If you notice your furnace short cycling, try to see if one of these potential causes is responsible, before needing to shop for furnace repair in Conyers.

Too Hot

This might sound like a bit of an oxymoron, but furnaces, much like any other machine, can overheat in the wrong conditions. When this happens, most furnaces are programmed to shut off before causing catastrophic damage to itself. Not only are you unable to heat your house to the temperature that you want, but your furnace will also wear down faster, as overheated parts have a shorter shelf life. Overheating is often caused by some form of restricted airflow, so this can be helped by changing filters or finding the blockage to prevent large furnace repair bills.

Wrong Size

It’s also possible that your furnace is short cycling because it is the wrong size for your house. An oversized furnace will heat your house quickly, which might sound ideal, but that speed comes at a cost. A furnace that is the wrong size will cause you to have higher heating bills, because the additional power requires additional energy use. Also, by frequently turning on and off in short succession, you will reduce the useful life of your furnace, paying for costly repairs or replacements for your heating system.

Check the Thermostat

Perhaps the simplest cause for short cycling is a malfunctioning thermostat. A failing thermostat can cause all sorts of problems, short cycling being but one. If you notice short cycling among other problems, such as staying on or off the entire time, check your thermostat. If needed, you should also bring in an HVAC technician to diagnose the problem.

A short cycling furnace can be a sign of big problems to come in your heating system. However, by paying attention and being sure to fix these problems quickly, you can be sure to keep your furnace going strong for years to come.