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

Your furnace keeps your house warm during the frigid winter months, so it’s frustrating when something isn’t quite right. One frequent issue is a furnace that continuously turns on and turns off all the time. This problem is called short cycling. It stresses your furnace and might result in pricey repairs or even premature failure. 

Short cycling can be the result of for several reasons. Before you request furnace repair, research the possible causes and how to resolve the problem. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other substances that could wreak havoc on furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can get clogged and decrease the airflow. When this occurs, a safety feature switches off the furnace to avoid getting too warm. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, get a new one. Going forward, replace the filter every 30 to 90 days to keep your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Blocked Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and look for closed or blocked air vents. For adequate system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied 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 correctly, creating overheating and short cycling. Frequently replacing the filter is the simplest way to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, request furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Check your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Ensure the thermostat is set to 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 affect the temperature reading. If you use a smart thermostat, go to the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting guides. 

5. Dirty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s coated in soot, so the gas switches off sooner and the furnace shuts off. Leave the work of cleaning a dirty flame sensor to a professional like Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always best. An oversized system warms up your home too fast, creating intolerable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this problem is to request new furnace installation

If you try the solutions we mentioned here and nothing has changed, it’s time to contact the Experts at Aramendia Plumbing, Heating and Air. We’ll take a look at the situation, pinpoint the cause, and provide the necessary work. Our priority is to bring back indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for all season long. And our services are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, reach us at 210-404-4233 now! 

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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. 

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