Short cycling is what happens when you have a furnace turning on and off repeatedly. It prevents the furnace from heating your home properly and decreases energy efficiency, driving up your heating bills.
The main reason behind a furnace turning on and off is that the equipment overheats, triggering a safety mechanism that shuts the furnace off. When it cools down, the furnace kicks back on, but quickly overheats again and the cycle repeats. Here’s a look at a few problems that can cause a furnace to overheat and short cycle.
- Leaking heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is where heat from combustion gases is transferred to the air circulating through the furnace. When it leaks, the furnace can overheat. What’s worse is that the leak can cause dangerous carbon monoxide gas to enter the air you breathe. A leaking heat exchanger needs to be addressed immediately for safety reasons.
- Dirty ductwork: Dirt, dust and debris in the ductwork causes friction that slows down air and makes the furnace work harder. This can overheat it and cause short cycling.
- Blocked exhaust vent: If leaves or animal nests block the chimney, it can back up airflow.
- Clogged furnace filter: Get in the habit of checking the filter every month. Change it when it appears clogged with dust and debris, waiting no longer than three months between changes.
- Fan operating on high continually: If your furnace has a dual-speed blower motor, set it to run on low during the winter. Warm air is lighter and takes less effort to move than cool air, so low-speed is usually more than adequate to keep your home warm, especially in the warm Texas climate. This switch is a preventative measure to help keep the furnace from overheating.
There are other preventative measures you can take to prevent short cycling. Schedule a visit from James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. to optimize furnace performance and learn more about how to handle your furnace turning on and off. We provide professional HVAC services to residents in Wichita Falls, Vernon, Burkburnett and the surrounding areas.
