6 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Shutting Off and How to Solve It 

Your furnace keeps your family comfortable during the chilly winter months, so it’s disconcerting when something isn’t quite right. One common issue is a furnace that endlessly switches on and switches off over and over. This operating error is called short cycling. It stresses your heating system and could cause costly repairs or even earlier than normal failure. 

Short cycling can be caused by for a few reasons. Before you book furnace repair, review the likely causes and how to resolve the issue. 

1. Clogged Air Filter 

The HVAC filter attracts airborne dust, hair and other substances that could damage the furnace. If you don’t change the filter frequently, it can get dirty and block the airflow. When this takes place, a safety mechanism turns off the furnace to prevent getting too hot. Check the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. Going forward, change 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 thing that can lower airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your residence and check for closed or crowded air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in empty rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower uses blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t flow right, leading to overheating and short cycling. Frequently replacing the filter is the easiest approach to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, schedule furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Examine your thermostat next. This is the core of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Make sure the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature displayed on the screen. Try changing the batteries. Also, check whether the thermostat is in direct sunlight or near a heat source that could affect the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, check the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions. 

5. Sooty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame is present. The sensor can’t sense the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas turns off sooner and the furnace turns off. Leave the job of repairing a sooty flame sensor to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves home comfort equipment, larger isn’t always better. An oversized system heats up your residence too quickly, causing unpleasant temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to fix this situation is to do new furnace installation. 

If you try the fixes suggested here and nothing has changed, it’s time to reach the pros at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We’ll examine the situation, diagnose the cause, and do the necessary repair. Our goal is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and reliable furnace performance for all season long. And our work is backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more details about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, reach us at 866-397-3787 right away! 

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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.