Having a smart thermostat isn’t just wise for spending less on heating expenses. It can also alert you if there’s an issue with your furnace.
The Google Nest is equipped with a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it detects a problem with your heating system. You’ll see the warning on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.
One of the most common problems is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s what's doing on and how you can fix it.
Your Furnace is Short Cycling
When you get the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” that means your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace switches on for a short period of time then switches off. This HVAC game of red light, green light prevents your home from heating up and can increase 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 require replacement sooner.
Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off frequently, since its blower fan might keep running. This feature can detect power interruptions that occur during short cycling.
How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?
There are a few simple ways you can keep your furnace from short cycling.
Change Your Air Filter Often
If your air filter is too dirty, it will limit airflow. Your furnace will then shut off early to avoid overheating. We encourage changing flat filters every month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s simple to stay on top of changing your filter by adding a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.
If you’ve replaced your filter after getting a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can run a test to see if that repairs the problem.
- Push the ring to pull up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select "settings" and then "equipment."
- The thermostat will show the wires linked to it. Select "continue."
- You’ll see system components displayed. Select "test."
- Select "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run a 15-minute heating test and tell you the results when it’s finished.
Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t clear the test, something else could be awry that needs professional assistance. If this happens, contact Rob's Albertan Service Experts at 780-800-9047 for furnace repair.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor
Having a dirty or bad 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 starts up. Here’s what to check for.
- Remove the door from your furnace so you can see the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not need to remove the door for this.
- Turn on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a warmer indoor temperature.
- When you turn on the heat, the fan will begin running first. You should notice it turn on.
- The ignitor will begin 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 turn on and the burners will ignite.
- If the flame sensor can’t detect a flame, it’s usually due to the fact it’s dirty or faulty. Your furnace will then turn off as a safety measure. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll notice the flame and fan shutting down after a couple of seconds.
If you’re questioning how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire constantly, a combination of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin coating of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will stop the short cycling problem. This task is best left to an Expert. That's because an HVAC professional like Rob's Albertan Service Experts will be able to clean it without breaking it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.
Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently
Your high-efficiency furnace exhausts combustion gases outdoors through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get clogged by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to make sure it’s always clear. If the pipe gets plugged, it can cause your furnace to overheat. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that typically will stop these situations from happening. Households with small children will often find their kids have jammed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in a location that can be reached by little hands. Even this little amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The irregular 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 encounter short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was tripped.
An Expert HVAC technician from Rob's Albertan Service Experts can check the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can read the error codes furnace manufacturers produce, so you will still need a pro to help you out.
Let the Experts Handle 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 Rob's Albertan Service Experts, our Experts have the knowledge 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 780-800-9047 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.