What Is Furnace Short-Cycling?

Do you know what a furnace cycle is? It can be described as the process through which the thermostat runs the furnace and AC system to attain the desired indoor temperature limits. If your furnace begins to turn on and then off within short periods of time, there could be a problem. This is known as "short-cycling," and it can decrease energy efficiency. Furthermore, short-cycling is a good sign that there could be a major issue with your HVAC system. If you have noticed such a problem, call a provider of furnace repair services.

1. Reduced airflow can cause short-cycling

The cause could be one or all of the following three problems:

Dirty furnace filter

The main cause is restricted airflow. Reduced airflow within the furnace is a good sign that the furnace filter is dirty. To know if this is the case, replace the current furnace filter with a new one and note if the short cycles stop. If they stop, ensure that you change your filter every sixty days and that the furnace is actively operating. If the new one doesn't make a difference at all, it could be that you picked the wrong type. If it turns out that the new filter is still restricting airflow, the short-cycling problem will continue. Thus, ensure that you purchase a filter that is recommended by your furnace manufacturer. If your air filter is getting excessively dirty quickly, chances are that the air ducts are dirty and should be cleaned.

Clogged air vent registers

These are important components of your HVAC unit. If they get blocked, you can be sure that the flow of air will be interrupted. This can result in short-cycling. So, if you have been noticing this issue, make sure you inspect the air vent registers for debris.

Clogged air conditioning coils

These will not absorb heat from the air well if they are blocked. And if this is the case, the furnace will short-cycle during heating and cooling sessions.

2. Thermostat issues can cause short-cycling

Although it's a rare occurrence, you could require furnace repair due to thermostat issues. The component can cause problems due to its location and/or overheating. To ensure that it doesn't cause short-cycling, have the thermostat mounted on an inside wall.

This position will prevent it from being affected by windows and their radiation, outside walls, and drafts. To determine if the thermostat's current location is the problem, try to cover it with something. If the problem stops, then you need to call in an HVAC contractor to move the thermostat to a better location.

An overheating thermostat could also cause your furnace to short-cycle. It could be that the heat exchanger is getting too hot, causing the burner to shut off instantly. This can trigger short-cycling. To know if the heat exchanger is broken or has another issue, locate a furnace repair expert to come and investigate.

If your furnace turns on and off repeatedly, there is a big chance that you have a problem to solve. Typically, a normal-sized furnace should turn on and off a few times an hour. This will depend on your home's characteristics and outside air temperature levels, among other things. If it turns on and off more than eight times per hour, the issue may or may not be short-cycling. That's why you need a heating repair technician to identify the cause of the problem.