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

Your furnace keeps your you cozy during the chilly winter months, so it’s annoying when something is off. One routine issue is a furnace that endlessly switches on and switches off over and over. This issue is called short cycling. It stresses your heating system and might cause pricey repairs or even premature replacement. 

Short cycling can happen for varying reasons. Before you book furnace repair, read about the probable causes and how to fix the problem. 

1. Clogged Air Filter 

The HVAC filter traps airborne dust, hair and other pollutants that could cause problems for furnace. If you don’t replace the filter frequently, it can get clogged and decrease the airflow. When this takes place, a safety feature turns off the furnace to prevent overheating. Pull Out the filter, and if it’s dirty, install a new one. From now on, change the filter every 30 to 90 days to stop your furnace from short cycling. 

2. Clogged Air Vents 

A dirty filter isn’t the only issue that can restrict airflow and overheat your furnace. Walk around your home and check for shut or crowded air vents. For recommended system balance and performance, keep all registers open, even in unoccupied rooms. 

3. Dirty Blower Wheel 

The furnace blower uses blades that move air through the ductwork. If they are dirty, the air won’t move right, creating overheating and short cycling. Routinely changing the filter is the best method to avoid a dirty blower wheel. If the blades are already dirty, book furnace maintenance to have them cleaned. 

4. Faulty Thermostat 

Examine your thermostat next. This is the cortex of your HVAC system and instructs the furnace on what to do. Double-check the thermostat is set to 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 full sunlight or near a heat source that could influence the temperature reading. If you have a smart thermostat, visit the manufacturer’s site for troubleshooting instructions. 

5. Soot-Covered Flame Sensor 

The flame sensor is responsible for turning off the gas valve when no burner flame going. The sensor can’t detect the flame if it’s covered in soot, so the gas shuts off prematurely and the furnace shuts down. Leave the adjustment of fixing a dirty flame sensor to a pro like Rob's Albertan Service Experts. 

6. Oversized Furnace 

When it involves heating and cooling equipment, larger isn’t always better. A bigger system heats up your home too fast, causing uncomfortable temperature swings and short cycling. The only way to resolve this problem is to schedule new furnace installation. 

If you go through the resolutions we covered here and you’re still having problems, it’s time to contact the pros at Rob's Albertan Service Experts. We’ll examine the situation, diagnose the cause, and perform the necessary work. Our goal is to reintroduce indoor comfort, energy efficiency and dependable furnace performance for the rest of the season. And our services are upheld by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for a year.* For more information about furnace short cycling, or to request HVAC repair, give us a call at 780-800-9047 today! 

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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.