Posted by Rifat A. on 5/15/2020 to

Furnace short-cycling is a common problem faced by homeowners in the winter. Due to furnace short-cycling, the heating electric bill goes up, and sometimes your furnace stops functioning.

What is Furnace Short-Cycling?

If your furnace turns on and off every minute or two, then your furnace has a short-cycling problem. Sometimes your furnace can turn off before producing any heat.

Furnace short-cycling can happen due to furnace overheating. When the furnace is overheating, the furnace will automatically shut down to protect itself from damage. Also, when a furnace is overheating, you’ll have to understand that the heat is trapped inside the furnace, and it’ll produce carbon monoxide, which is very dangerous for you and your family.

Restricted airflow causes furnace overheating, and it happens because of blocked air vents, dirty air filters, blocked exhaust vents, and so on.

When there’s a furnace short-cycling, the furnaces go through a lot of stress. But the furnace isn’t built to handle this type of immense stress, and that’s why other parts of your furnace will stop working. Also, furnace short-cycling will shorten the lifespan of your furnace. If you don’t repair the furnace quickly, you may have to change the whole furnace, and it’ll cost you big bucks.

When you notice that your furnace is turning on and off frequently, you should call an HVAC professional. No matter what your furnace type is, there are a handful number of HVAC professionals in Dallas who are always ready to help you and fix your furnace problem.

Now, I’ll tell you how to repair furnace short-cycling in Dallas.

4 Ways to Repair Furnace Short-Cycling

1. Change the Clogged Air Filter

When there’s restricted airflow in the furnace, warm air won’t be able to go outside. As a result, heat will trap inside the furnace, which will cause furnace overheating. When there’s a furnace overheating, your furnace turns off automatically to protect itself from further damage.

Clogged or dirty air filter causes restricted airflow in the furnace. To solve this problem, you’ll have to replace the furnace air filter in starting of the winter. However, if you live in a polluted area, then you’ll have to change the furnace air filter every 2 to 3 months.

Always read the user’s manual before changing the air filter. If you don’t feel comfortable changing the air filter by yourself, you can contact an HVAC professional in Dallas.

2. Buy a Right-Sized Furnace

Many homeowners in the US think that if they buy a big furnace, it’ll produce more heat, and provide more comfort. But unfortunately, it isn’t true. When you buy an oversized furnace for your home, it’ll produce the desired heat in a short time. But to maintain the consistent temperature throughout the home, your furnace will turn off right after producing the desired heat, and your furnace will have a short-cycling problem.

To solve this problem, you’ll have to buy a right-sized furnace for your home. You can always take help from an HVAC professional who will help you to determine the right-sized furnace for your home.

3. Replace the Flame Sensor of the Furnace

The main purpose of a furnace flame sensor is to determine whether the gas valve of the furnace has fired or not. A good furnace flame sensor will turn off the gas valve when it doesn’t sense any flame. On the other hand, a bad flame sensor will turn off the gas valve when the furnace is producing heat.

If your furnace has a bad flame sensor, it’ll unnecessarily turn on and off the furnace, and as a result, furnace short-cycling will happen. Also, due to a bad flame sensor, toxic gas can enter into your house from the furnace.

When you have a bad furnace flame sensor or flame rod, you’ll have to replace the flame sensor. While replacing, you should call an HVAC professional as there’s danger in it.

4. Clear the Exhaust Vent

If your exhaust vent is blocked, your furnace will produce carbon monoxide, and this gas is very dangerous for your health. One of the most common causes of blocked exhaust vent is the bird's nest. Sometimes snowfall can block your exhaust vent too.

If you see any animal nest or snow in your exhaust vent, clear it as soon as possible. It is a very easy DIY, and you won’t need any help from an HVAC professional.

See the summary of this content here – 4 Ways to Repair Furnace Short Cycling [Infographic]

4 Ways to Repair Furnace Short-Cycling