Why Does My Heat Kick On But Not Stay On?
A reliable furnace is a necessity. When the weather becomes cooler in East Petersburg, PA, it’s important to have access to a furnace you can rely on. If your heater turns off after a few minutes, you might have an issue known as a short cycling furnace. This issue happens when your heat comes on and shuts off before completing a cycle.
It is one of many issues that can cause your furnace to start and then shut down. When your furnace fails to work, it keeps your home cold and causes a spike in your energy bill. At Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we know short cycling can be uncomfortable.
What Is Furnace Short Cycling?
Why does my furnace keep shutting off? Short cycling is when a furnace turns on, runs for a short period of time, and shuts off. Unfortunately, the furnace shuts down before it has completed the job of warming up the home. This leads to different temperatures throughout the home and causes unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace.
Manufacturers design furnaces for efficient operation. Heating cycles should last 10 to 15 minutes and occur two to three times an hour. When short cycling occurs, furnaces tend to overcompensate. An overcompensating furnace leads to premature failure and expensive repairs.
Common Reasons Your Furnace Won’t Stay On
Short cycling isn’t the only culprit behind a heating system not staying on. Consider some of the other issues to rule out when you’re getting to the core of the problem.
Bad Flame Sensor
Your furnace uses a flame sensor to confirm the proper ignition of the burners. When the thermostat tells your furnace to heat, the gas valve opens and the igniter lights the burners. The flame sensor then detects the flame. If it doesn’t sense a flame within a few seconds, it shuts the system down for safety. This helps to avoid a gas leak or fire.
But here’s the problem: flame sensors get dirty or corroded over time. When that happens, even if the flame is there, the sensor can’t “see” it, so it shuts everything down. That’s why your furnace starts and then shuts off without warning. It thinks there’s no flame. A simple cleaning or replacement usually fixes it. Schedule your heating maintenance in the fall. We’ll check and clean your flame sensor. This way, you won’t have any problems when you need your furnace.
Blocked Ducts and Vents
Short cycling can happen when airflow isn’t consistent due to blocked vents or ducts. This causes the furnace to blow air in an uneven manner throughout your home. Keep the area around your vents clear and prevent restricting the airflow.
Clogged Air Filters
When your air filter is dirty and clogged, air cannot pass through without obstruction. This has a harmful effect on your indoor air quality. But it can also cause the furnace to overheat and shut down.
Oversized Furnace
If your furnace is too big for your home, it will heat up rapidly and shut off before it can create a consistent temperature.
Overheating
When the system becomes too hot, it shuts down as a safety precaution. While this prevents fires, it also blocks your household from experiencing comfort from the warm air.
Thermostat Concerns
If a thermostat’s batteries are low or if there’s an issue with the wiring, the furnace may fail to operate as intended.
Can You Fix It Yourself?
Fixing your own furnace may sound appealing. After all, you’ll save money when you do it yourself. Keep in mind that if you’re not trained in furnace repair, it’s best to leave this one to the professionals. A simple oversight can waste time, money, and the potential to cause a house fire.
Still, here are a few things you can troubleshoot on your own before calling for help:
- Checking your thermostat batteries
- Setting to heat mode
- Making sure vents are open
- Keeping it free from furniture
- Replacing or cleaning your air filters
- Moving heat sources away from the thermostat
If you’ve tried these steps and your furnace is still struggling. Reach out to a licensed heating professional to avoid further damage.
When to Call a Heating Professional
If short cycling goes unaddressed, it can lead to costly repairs, high energy bills, and a cold house. Look out for these signs that it’s time to call for help:
- Rooms don’t stay warm
- Thermostat gives inconsistent readings
- Smell something burning when the furnace runs
- System turns off quickly
Our licensed professionals at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical know how to get to the root of the issue fast. We provide professional furnace repair and other heating services in Lancaster, Lititz, Ephrata, and the surrounding areas.
It would be nice to switch the thermostat to heat mode, enjoy a warm house, and move on with the rest of your day. So when short cycling occurs, it can feel like an annoying circumstance you would rather put off for another time. But consider short cycling a symptom of a much bigger concern. The issue might be a simple fix, such as a dirty air filter. Still, professional consultation will rule out other reasons why your furnace might be shutting down too soon.
Expert Heating Repair in Lancaster
Our team at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical has years of experience. We provide reliable furnace repair services. We also offer furnace installation and maintenance. And if you don’t have a furnace but a boiler, heat pump, or geothermal system, we can help with those heating systems, too. We’re glad to offer reliable and efficient heating solutions to Lancaster, Lititz, Ephrata, and nearby cities.
Contact us today at Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical to get your furnace repaired before the brisk temperatures continue to plummet.
FAQs
You may have questions about short cycling. Here are a few questions and our answers.
Is furnace short cycling dangerous?
Furnace short cycling can be dangerous. It might seem like a minor concern. But it usually indicates a bigger issue. Whether it’s an electrical concern, potential overheating, or an airflow issue, time is of the essence in finding a resolution. Procrastinating on a short cycling issue can raise your energy bills. It may also harm your system and damage its parts.
Can a dirty air filter cause a furnace to shut off?
Yes, dirty air filters can cause a furnace to shut off. When the filter clogs and gets dirty, the debris blocks the air from flowing through. The blocked airflow can lead to a furnace overheating and shutting off. By replacing your air filter once every one to three months, you’ll reduce the chances of short cycling. This also protects your indoor air quality and the lifespan of your furnace.
