4 Reasons Your Furnace Is Short Cycling

Short cycling refers to the frequent turning on and off of an HVAC equipment without reaching the set temperature on the thermostat. Depending on the condition of the furnace and other factors, cycling should only occur three to eight times an hour. However, if the furnace cycles more often than the average, there could be a problem that needs to be attended to immediately.

In this post, A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, a provider of residential HVAC services, talks about four possible reasons for furnace short cycling.

Overheating. Most modern furnaces come with built-in safety devices that monitor temperature. If the temperature-detecting components are faulty, chances are your furnace will overheat and shut down. A cracked heat exchanger can also encourage short cycling. When it emits heat into other parts of the system, it may lead your furnace to overheat and experience short cycling.

Incorrect furnace size. If your furnace is too big for your home, it will heat it too quickly and unevenly. To maintain a consistent temperature throughout your house, your furnace will start to short cycle. Working with reputable HVAC installation contractors when sizing your furnace can easily prevent this dilemma.

Dirty air filters. Something as simple as a dirty air filter can cause your heating system to short cycle. Air filters clogged with dust and dirt will obstruct the free flow of air and eventually cause a backup, meaning warm air will remain in the furnace instead of being distributed throughout your living space. When this happens, the internal temperature of your system will soar, causing your furnace to shut off.

Corrosion. During the heating process, the system will produce small amounts of water, which can cause metals to rust and corrode over time. As a result, corrosion buildup will trigger the furnace to short cycle more frequently.

For top-quality heating and air conditioning repair services, turn to A-1 Comfort Care Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. Our goal is to provide the level of comfort and efficiency that you deserve. Give us a call at (732) 993-3931 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We work with residents of Freehold, Wall, and other nearby communities in NJ.