Does your HVAC system’s furnace keep turning on and off frequently? A normal HVAC system furnace that is working perfectly should run uninterrupted until the temperature set on the thermostat is reached. But often, when there is a fault in the system, the furnace switches off by itself even if the desired temperature hasn’t been attained. It then turns on again because, the desired temperature was not attained. This can be very annoying for the residents and also a cause of concern because it means there is a problem with your HVAC system. It is important to understand what causes furnace short cycling. Only when you are aware of the cause will you be able to find a solution.
If you are facing furnace short cycling problems, consult a reliable HVAC contractor to learn more about what you can do. In St. Louis, call us at 314-993-1110.
Probable Cause of Furnace Short Cycling
Some of the most likely reasons your furnace keeps turning on and off frequently, or furnace short cycling, are listed below.
Defective Thermostat
The problem of furnace short cycling may not always originate from the furnace itself. It could be the thermostat that is faulty instead. A defective or faulty thermostat may cause the furnace to turn off before the set temperature in the room is attained. This could be because your thermostat’s battery has drained or the sensor is dirty. Try thermostat troubleshooting by changing the batteries or cleaning and run the system again to see if it works correctly. If not, you may have to repair or replace the thermostat.
Sometimes, this problem may not be because of a faulty thermostat but because of where the thermostat is placed. If there is a heat source very close to the thermostat or it is kept in direct sunlight, the room temperature that it records may be affected. It shows a higher temperature and the furnace is switched off before time. In such a case, you would want to move the thermostat to a cooler place or remove any heat sources from around it.
Clogged Air Filters
If you understand how the heating system works, you already know that the heat from the furnace is carried away by the circulating air. If the air filter in your system is dirty or clogged, it will affect the air circulation. When lesser air circulates through the system, the furnace can get overheated as the heat is not being carried away from it efficiently. This overheating causes the furnace to switch off as a precaution, even if the temperature in the room has not reached the desired limit.
Check your air filters and clean or replace them if required to avoid such furnace short cycling.
The Furnace Is Too Small or Too Big for the Space
Having the right size furnace is important for the system to be efficient. A furnace that is too large can produce too much heat that is not needed in the house and may get overheated quickly, causing it to shut off early. If the furnace is too small, it cannot produce enough heat in each cycle, so the cycle frequencies increase, resulting in the furnace short cycling.
If that is the case, you will need to replace it with a correctly sized furnace. You will need to contact a reliable HVAC technician for the new furnace installation and to make sure you choose the best furnace for your home.
Fix Your Furnace Short Cycling Problems with Our St. Louis Experts
If you are looking for a trusted HVAC contractor in St. Louis for furnace repairs or installation, Galmiche & Sons is here to help. We can help determine what is causing your furnace to short cycle and help you get the right solution. Get in touch with our experienced heating and air conditioning experts to learn more about the services we offer.
