6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Shutting Off and How to Take Care of It 

Your furnace keeps your family warm during the chilly winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is wrong. One frequent situation is a furnace that endlessly turns on and switches off again. This problem is known as short cycling. It overworks equipment and could cause costly repairs or even premature replacement. 

Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you schedule furnace repair, research the likely causes and how to take care of the situation. 

1. Clogged Air Filter 

The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other debris that could damage the furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can become clogged and reduce the airflow. When this happens, a safety feature shuts off the furnace to stop getting too hot. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, get a new one. From here on out, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Clogged Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only trouble that can reduce airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and be on the lookout for for closed or crowded air vents. For recommended 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 covered in dirt, the air won’t move right, causing overheating and short cycling. Frequently changing the filter is the simplest approach to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Check your thermostat next. This is the brain of your HVAC system and gives the furnace instructions on what to do. Double-check the thermostat is on heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature showing on the screen. Try replacing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in bright sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips. 

5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor turns 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 turns off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the work of repairing a faulty flame sensor to an Expert like McKinley Heating Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it includes home comfort equipment, bigger isn’t always right. A larger system heats up your residence too quickly, causing uncomfortable temperature fluctuations and short cycling. The only way to resolve this problem is to request new furnace installation. 

If you go through the resolutions we went over here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to reach the pros at McKinley Heating Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, figure out the cause, and do the necessary service. Our aim is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our work is upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, call us at 780-800-7092 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.