Having a smart thermostat isn’t just smart for spending less on heating expenses. It can also alert you if there’s a problem with your furnace.
The Google Nest is equipped with a feature called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it senses a problem with your heating system. You’ll see the alert on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.
One of the most frequent issues is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s why this is happening and how you can fix it.
Your Furnace is Short Cycling
When you see the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” it's saying your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace turns on for a brief period of time then turns off. This HVAC game of red light, green light stops your home from heating up and can drive up your energy bill. It can also increase wear and tear on your furnace. It may also be more likely to break down and may even need to be replaced sooner.
Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not detect your furnace is turning on and off frequently, since its blower fan might keep running. This feature can pick up on power interruptions that happen during short cycling.
How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?
There are a few simple ways you can prevent your furnace from short cycling.
Replace Your Air Filter Often
If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut down early to avoid overheating. We recommend changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of replacing your filter by setting up a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.
If you’ve replaced your filter after receiving a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can do a test to see if that repairs the problem.
- Press the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select "settings" and then "equipment."
- The thermostat will show the wires linked to it. Choose "continue."
- You’ll see system components shown. Hit "test."
- Choose "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will go through a 15-minute heating check and tell you the results when it’s done.
Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t clear the test, something else could be wrong that needs professional assistance. If this happens, contact Comfortech Service Experts at 601-852-3105 for furnace repair.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor
Having a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor is another top explanation why your furnace might short cycle. You can determine if there’s a problem by watching your furnace as it turns on. Here’s what to look for.
- Remove the door from your furnace so you can look at the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not need to remove the door for this.
- Switch on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a higher indoor temperature.
- When you switch on the heat, the fan will begin running first. You should hear it turn on.
- The ignitor will start to glow. The ignitor is either on the left or right of the burners, but it varies according to the furnace model.
- Once the ignitor is warm enough, the gas will switch on and the burners will ignite.
- If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually due to the fact it’s dirty or defective. Your furnace will then turn off as a safety precaution. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll notice the flame and fan shutting off after a couple of seconds.
If you’re wondering how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire continuously, a blend of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin layer of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will stop the short cycling issue. This job is best left to an Expert. That's because an HVAC professional like Comfortech Service Experts will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if you need a new one.
Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently
Your high-efficiency furnace vents combustion gases outdoors through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get obstructed by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to make sure it’s always clear. If the pipe gets blocked, it can result in your furnace overheating. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
However, modern furnaces are equipped with a pressure switch that typically will prevent these situations from occurring. Families with young children will often find their kids have stuffed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in a location that's accessible by tiny hands. Even this small amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system trips the pressure switch, which shuts down the burners. If this is the root of your problem, you will experience short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was triggered.
An Expert HVAC technician from Comfortech Service Experts can look up the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can interpret the error codes furnace manufacturers produce, so you will still need a pro to help you out.
Let the Experts Solve Your Short Cycling Furnace
If you receive the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Comfortech Service Experts , our Experts have the expertise to resolve any furnace problem quickly and affordably. What’s even better is that we stand behind our repairs with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.* To request your appointment, contact us at 601-852-3105 or schedule online.
*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.