With winter right around the corner, you want to make sure that the furnace is ready for the cold season ahead. That means giving it the maintenance and care needed to ensure it is in its best condition.
That being said, one of the most common issues homeowners face when utilizing their furnaces during the winter is that it is short-cycling. If you do not know what this means, short-cycling is when a furnace turns off and on repeatedly in quick succession.
To ensure your furnace does not start to short-cycle, here are some common causes of the issue and how to fix it.
1. Overheating
There are systems in a typical furnace that measure its temperature. When things get too hot, they will switch off to prevent further damage. Unfortunately, if this keeps happening, the constant overheating can lead to problems like a damaged heat exchanger.
The leading cause of overheating is a lack of ventilation or a restriction of airflow. If you believe overheating to be the problem, it is vital to have the furnace checked out by an HVAC professional.
2. Dirt and grime
Dirt can also cause your furnace to overheat and short-cycle. It can quickly accumulate in your air filters and eventually restrict airflow. When this happens, the furnace will overheat, as it will not have enough access to cool air. It will then automatically shut off to prevent further damage.
To fix this problem, check the filters to make sure they are not dirty. If they are, get them cleaned or replaced.
3. Blocked exhaust vent
Not only can blocked exhaust cause overheating, but it can also allow dangerous carbon monoxide to leak through the vent. This gas cannot be detected other than with specialized devices to monitor for CO levels.
If you believe that the cause of short-cycling is due to a blocked exhaust vent, check the vents. Typically, things like ice, hives, and nests can block the vents. If you find the blockage to be a nest, hire pest control to clear it out.
4. Damaged flame sensor
Your furnace will have a built-in sensor to detect whether the gas valve works to ensure no extra gas gets pumped into your home. This is known as a flame sensor. However, when a flame sensor malfunctions, it will not be able to detect the flame. This causes it to “think” that gas is leaking into your home, which will automatically switch off the gas valve.
To fix this problem, you will need to clean or replace the sensor, which you can hire professional furnace specialists for.
Conclusion
If you notice your furnace short-cycling, check out the problems we have mentioned above. It is vital that you fix the issue right away, as leaving your furnace be will only cause the problem to grow ever larger.
That said, if you still cannot figure out nor fix the problem, we highly recommend hiring professional HVAC specialists to address it for you. They have the experience and tools required to quickly identify the root cause of the problem to bring your furnace back to good condition and keep your home warm during the winter!
Air 1 LLC is a full-service heating and air conditioning company that offers installations and maintenance services to ensure any home can enjoy the best air quality at the perfect temperatures. If you are looking for furnace services in Union County, contact us today!