Why does furnace start and stop?
If you are wondering why does furnace start and stop?, we have a few easy checks. Ramon with One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning in Olathe, KS details what is happening when your furnace turns on then immediately turns off.
This is a problem known as short cycling.
What does is mean when your furnace is short cycling?
When your furnace is short cycling, it is a safety control that turns the furnace off. Your furnace is sensing that something is wrong. It may not be venting properly for example and the furnace turns off to protect your home. It is for this reason why if your furnace is short cycling, it means that your furnace is sensing a problem that needs to be addressed. We recommend a professional look at your furnace and perform a professional cleaning. Often, short cycling can be prevented with routine maintenance.
Problem #1 Furnace Tries to Start Then Stops
The first possibility for why your furnace turns on then off is that there could be a problem with the ignition portion of the furnace. When your furnace tries to turn on, and you hear the actual burner lighting and then shutting off, there is a problem with the flame guard circuit of the furnace. Meaning, it is not sensing a proper flame. Probably a thorough cleaning is what is needing to fix this particular problem.
Problem #2 Furnace Ignites Then Turns Off
The next possibility for why your furnace is turning off is that is is not venting properly. If you hear the inducer assembly (which is a little combustion blower on the furnace) cycle on and off the issue is going to be in the circuitry of the inducer assembly.
The pressure switches are sensing a flu problem or an improper draft in the flue.
We’re talking about the safety controls turning the furnace off
Short-cycling is a safety issue.
If you are experiencing short-cycling from your furnace, it is sensing a safety issue that makes it unsafe to operate. We recommend scheduling a professional heating and air conditioning technician to find the problem and correct the issue.
It’s time to have your furnace serviced. This is a problem and it’s not going to go away. If you’ve caught it acting up once it’s going to do it again. When it does short-cycle again it’s going to be when you want to use it.
Here’s the good news.
Short-cycling is Prevented With Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Typically short cycling is a problem with a common culprit: dirt.
This is a maintenance-related problem where dirt causes a poor ignition. Regular professional cleanings and adjustments can keep this problem at bay. The good news is that short-cycling is typically not a costly repair, but it does take an experienced technical hand to know exactly what’s going on.
Why does my furnace keep shutting off? When Your Furnace Runs, But Does Not Reach Desired Temperature Before Turning Off?
Short cycling, is mainly when a furnace turns on then immediately turns off. If it runs for a few minutes and turns off, that is a different problem. If you suspect your furnace turning off before it completes a full cycle, there are some adjustments that can be made with the communication between the furnace and the thermostat. Again, it is best to have an experienced heating and cooling technician handle this one as mis-wiring can create more problems than you’re trying to solve.
