It’s not uncommon to have troubles with your furnace during the frigid winter months. When a furnace turns on and off repeatedly, it’s referred to as “short cycling”. Furnaces are designed to cycle on and off frequently, but how often and for how long depends on a variety of factors, including the furnace, the home environment, the weather, and so on.
This is a relatively common problem that can lead to higher utility costs and costly furnace repairs if not identified and addressed right away. If the problem is left unattended for too long, the furnace may need to be replaced.
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Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the complete heating system. Your thermostat may be damaged or broken if your furnace keeps turning off and on too quickly. There are several reasons why your thermostat may not be working properly, including faulty wiring, depleted batteries, or a misplaced thermostat.
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Problem With The Flame Sensor
A damaged or dirty flame sensor may be the cause of frequent furnace shut-offs. When the gas valve is open, a flame sensor alerts your system to the presence of a flame. The sensor will shut off the gas valve if there isn’t a flame present, preventing the gas from entering your home.
If the flame sensor is unclean or damaged, the flame will not detect and turn off the gas valve, causing your system to shut down. If your furnace is cycling on and off excessively, call a furnace repair in Tomball to inspect it.
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Blocked Airflow
Low airflow might cause a furnace to cycle on and off repeatedly. Because of this, if there isn’t adequate airflow, the furnace’s heat exchanger will quickly become too hot to handle. This particular problem frequently develops if the furnace is situated in a congested storage room or if the air inlet flowing from the outside of your house is blocked. The furnace switches off after a few minutes when the exchanger reaches the maximum temperature.
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The Furnace Is Too Big For Your House
A furnace that is too large for your house may have a shorter cycle life. When your furnace is too large for your house, it will swiftly heat your house before abruptly ceasing to do so. Once the temperature in your house drops, the cycle begins all over again. If you want to fix the problem, your only option is to buy a new furnace.
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Fuel Pipe
Short cycling of your furnace might also be caused by the flue pipe, commonly known as the exhaust vent. A blockage occurs when dirt, leaves, sticks, or other debris, such as a bird or animal nest, enter the pipe and become trapped inside. This obstruction will result in a buildup of hot gases in your furnace, which will cause it to overheat.
Is your furnace giving you trouble? Give us a chance to help! For dependable HVAC service in tomball, give us a call at (281) 719-0722.