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

Your furnace keeps your family warm during the chilly winter months, so it’s frustrating when something is wrong. One frequent situation is a furnace that continuously kicks on and switches off again. This issue is referred to as short cycling. It stresses equipment and may lead to costly repairs or even premature replacement. 

Short cycling can be caused by for several reasons. Before you request furnace repair, review the possible causes and how to fix the issue. 

1. Dirty Air Filter 

The HVAC filter catches airborne dust, hair and other debris that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter often enough, it can get dirty and block the airflow. When this takes place, a safety device switches off the furnace to prevent overheating. Inspect the filter, and if it’s dirty, replace it. From now on, get a new filter every 30 to 90 days to prevent your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Obstructed Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only thing that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your house and look for unopened 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 has blades that push air through the ductwork. If they are covered in dirt, the air won’t travel properly, causing overheating and short cycling. Regularly replacing the filter is the easiest method to stop 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 cortex of your HVAC system and tells the furnace what to do. Ensure the thermostat is in heating mode and auto fan with the desired temperature shown on the screen. Try putting in new 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, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting tips. 

5. Dirty Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor turns off the gas valve when no burner flame on. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s sooty, so the gas switches off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of fixing a faulty flame sensor to a professional like Stevenson Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it comes to HVAC equipment, bigger isn’t always better. A bigger system adds warmth to your house too quickly, creating uncomfortable temperature changes and short cycling. The only way to fix this problem is to do new furnace installation

If you attempt the fixes suggested here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to reach the professionals at Stevenson Service Experts. We’ll review the situation, diagnose the cause, and perform the necessary service. Our priority is to restore indoor comfort, energy efficiency and reliable furnace performance for all season long. And our work is supported by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more info about furnace short cycling, or to book HVAC repair, give us a call at 614-334-3192 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. 

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