3 Signs Your Furnace Is Short-Cycling And Needs Repair
Now that winter is here, homeowners should ensure that their HVAC system is ship-shape. Taking care of any furnace repair now ensures that your HVAC system can keep you warm throughout winter. A comfortable indoor environment is the key to surviving wintertime.
Many homeowners have issues with furnace short-cycling, and they have no idea what to do. This occurs when you switch your furnace off and back on too frequently. When there isn't enough time between the on and off switches, your furnace is likely to short-cycle.
In severe cases, the furnace can even shut down. What do you do to revive it? What are the other signs your furnace is short-cycling? Read on to learn signs to look for and how to address each situation.
1. Overheating Furnace
A short-cycling furnace will overheat as a protective mechanism; overheating results in a shutdown that secures the HVAC system from damage. Addressing the root of the problem saves the heat exchanger from getting cracks.
Cracked heat exchangers send up leaking carbon monoxide into the house, resulting in a health hazard. Inhaling this gas can be fatal as it interferes with oxygen circulation in the blood. When you notice your HVAC system overheating, contact a professional for furnace unit repair.
2. Faulty Flame Sensor
When the furnace's flame sensor malfunctions, the furnace flame goes out as soon as it's lit. The flame should come on within 30 to 60 seconds of the inducer motor's ignition. If the flame does not come on, then short-cycling is likely the root cause.
Every furnace comes with a flame sensor to prevent raw gas from getting into your indoor spaces. The flame sensor triggers a gas valve to shut if, within the first 30 to 60 seconds of the motor's ignition, there is no flame. Contact a furnace repair technician to clean the flame sensor or replace it altogether.
3. Dirty Furnace Filter
Typically, a furnace will shut off after a few minutes of running if there is an underlying problem. This happens when a lot of dirt gets trapped in the filter.
Dirt in the furnace filter inhibits proper airflow, resulting in the HVAC system going off before it warms your indoor environment. You will likely notice hot air from the furnace's heat grates. A professional HVAC technician can help you clean the filter or replacing it with a new one.
These are the three signs your furnace is short-cycling and needs repair. Contact a trained HVAC technician for a permanent solution to the problem.
