Your furnace may be short-cycling if it’s frequently turning on and off without reaching your desired temperature. This can leave your home uncomfortable and chilly during the coldest months of the year. These are a few of the most common causes behind a short-cycling furnace in Kirkwood, MO.
Clogged HVAC Filters
Your air filters slowly fill up with hair, dust and contaminants over time. When they become too full, they will obstruct the amount of air going into the system. This will trap hot air inside the system, warming up its internal environment until it suddenly shuts off.
Faulty Thermostat
There’s a chance your malfunctioning thermostat could have an impact on your furnace’s cycles. Devices older than 10 to 15 years typically grapple with worn or frayed wiring that can’t accurately communicate commands. Before you call for service, make sure to confirm your thermostat is set to heat and isn’t dealing with conflicting temperature preferences.
Internal Overheating
Both clogged air filters and faulty heat exchangers can lead to significant furnace overheating. Cracked heat exchangers will leak heat into their surroundings that warms up nearby components. The inside of your furnace can become so hot that wires begin melting and the circuit breaker trips.
Oversized Heating System
There’s also a chance your heating system may not be the right size for your furnace. If your heating system quickly reaches your desired temperature, it may turn off abruptly. While this may sound like a comfort advantage, improperly sized HVAC systems will use excessive energy and require more maintenance over the years.
Average furnace cycles should last between 10 to 15 minutes when maintaining your set temperature. Generally, cycles that last only a few minutes could point to a potential short-cycling issue. Contact the HVAC experts at C & G Heating & Cooling to schedule your furnace repair in Kirkwood, MO.
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