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If your furnace turns on, works for a few minutes, and then turns off without heating your house, it is something more than a discomfort. It is a trouble that can leave your loved ones in the cold when it matters most. Short cycling of a furnace in New Jersey can be due to various reasons.
Here is a look at the common causes of furnace short cycling, how to troubleshoot the issue, and when to call a local HVAC professional like Lehigh HVAC.
The normal heating cycle of a furnace is typically completed in 10 to 15 minutes. If your furnace comes to a stop before it achieves the temperature recommended by the thermostat, it is called short cycling. A short-cycling heating appliance has several negative effects. First, it compromises the home’s comfort. Second, it puts extra burden on the system and leads to premature wear and tear.
The section below explores the popular causes of this frequent on/off cycle.
A dirty or clogged air filter restricts airflow into the furnace. This causes heat to build up inside the system, which then triggers the safety limit switch to shut off the furnace. This safety switch closure is essential to prevent overheating.
If the thermostat is faulty, it misreads the room temperature and sends incorrect signals to the control board and the related components. The result is that the system stops working before it reaches the set temperature.
The flame sensors check whether the gas burners are lit. If these sensors become clogged with soot or buildup, they can’t detect the flame and send signals to the relevant other components to continue the heating process.
If the furnace is too large for the required size for residential or commercial space, it heats the rooms too rapidly. The thermostat detects the temperature and shuts the heating process off when the desired temperature is achieved.
If the flue vents or registers are blocked, the airflow in the heating system is blocked. It creates a pressure inside the appliance, which overheats the system. The safety switch then detects this overheating and turns the system off.
Ignoring short-cycling is a major mistake. Frequent turning off and on in a heating appliance creates immense pressure. If any internal component is behind those cycles, fixing the underlying cause becomes more essential. Because if you fail to diagnose it properly and resolve the issue on time, you might be forced to face major replacements and equipment breakdowns ahead.
Lehigh HVAC is a family-owned and operated business serving New Jersey with affordable, fast, and trustworthy furnace installation and repair services. For heating appliances, our focus is to restore comfort on the same day, so you don’t spend another night in the cold. You can call us, discuss your concerns, and book our service with confidence at 848-361-4707.
