Breaking the Short Cycle
Breaking the Short Cycle
If you notice that your furnace seems to turn on and off frequently, that’s what we in the industry refer to as short cycling. Short cycling is when a furnace turns on and off too quickly, providing you and your home with little to no warmth. This constant turning on and off of the equipment can also cause greater wear and tear, resulting in more money spent on repairs.
If you suspect your furnace is short cycling, here are some of the common causes to keep in mind:
- The most common cause of short cycling is a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter restricts air from reaching the heat exchanger, which causes the furnace to overheat and shut down. Simply changing an air filter every 30 to 60 days can help avoid this.
- There’s a right and wrong place for a thermostat! If your thermostat is located near a heat source, such as a television, lamp, or a heat register, it’ll misread the temperature inside the home and shut off the furnace. If you find your thermostat isn’t in an optimal position, contact Sound Energy for help relocating it.
- Blocked exhaust vents can cause the furnace to overheat, similarly to how a blocked air filter causes the furnace to short cycle, the hot gases build up in the furnace when vents are blocked causing it to overheat. Having the vents cleared and cleaned by a professional can keep your system running optimally.
- An oversized furnace isn’t better for your home. An oversized furnace will heat your home too quickly, causing it to shut off once it reaches your set temperature. Then, when your home cools off, the furnace will repeat the cycle. If you have reason to believe your heating system is too big for your home, contact Sound Energy for assistance!
Short cycling is a common issue that’s easily fixed once the source is pinpointed. However, one of the best ways to avoid short cycling is with an updated heating system from Sound Energy! Modern furnaces boast variable speed motors, which provides for longer cycling that leads to a healthier home heating system, and improved fuel consumption. Call or contact us today to learn more about saving money with a heating system upgrade!
