When the air temperatures are very cold during the winter season, you really want to be able to heat your home effectively and reliably. If your furnace is turning on, running briefly, and then shutting back down, this really won’t be the case. There are a few different reasons as to why your furnace may short cycle.
Whatever the reason for your system’s short cycling, you must keep in mind that this issue can cause many problems. You’re going to be using more energy to heat your home, with lesser results. That can leave you paying more for subpar comfort! Plus, it puts a lot of wear and tear on your furnace in Lake Stevens, WA. Read on to learn more about short cycling, and dial our number to have the problem resolved.
Something of a worst case scenario is that your furnace is not sized appropriately for your home. An oversized furnace may not sound like a terrible problem — better a bit bigger than too small being a common misconception — but it can cause your system to heat your home too quickly. Again, that doesn’t sound so bad, until you consider the effect of short cycling on your heater. If your system is too large for your home, replacing it is really the only option for resolving the issue.
Of course, the short cycling of your furnace may also be caused by something as simple as a very dirty air filter in your system. If the airflow is restricted, heated air will basically back up in the furnace. The furnace can then misconstrue the information it has regarding the need for further heating, and it may cycle off before your home is adequately heated.
Finally, you may have an issue with a faulty thermocouple. Your thermocouple, or flame sensors, depending upon the furnace, is there to protect you in the event that there is not enough heat to safely combust fuel. If your thermocouple malfunctions, it may not sense enough heat, and can shut down the system prematurely. Of course, it may also be functioning just fine, which is why it’s so important to have this problem evaluated by a trained professional.
Let G & S Heating Cooling & Electric keep your furnace working properly.
