With temperatures continuing to dip, it’s time to start paying more attention to your furnace. One common problem to look out for is known as short cycling, which generally requires the help of an HVAC contractor to correct. Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the issue.

What Is Short Cycling?

Short cycling is when your furnace starts up but then completes its heating cycle quickly, abruptly shutting off. There are several problems with that process. For one, starting up and shutting down requires a lot of energy, so if your machine is short cycling over and over, utility bills can skyrocket.

Also, such odd cycling usually means that the furnace is not adequately heating the entire home, creating a comfort issue for you and your family during the cold months. Finally, all that abrupt starting and stopping contributes wear and tear to the unit. Have an HVAC contractor repair or replace the furnace to resolve the issue.

What Are the Main Causes?

One reason short cycling happens is because the furnace may be too big for your home. If the installer made an erroneous calculation, the furnace speedily heats the house, turns off rapidly, allows the house to grow cold, and then repeats the process. Another possibility is that the furnace gets so hot that the unit shuts off to protect itself. Usually, that indicates that airflow is being limited somehow due to a blocked vent or clogged air filter.

Finally, you may have a problem with the thermostat. If an incorrect signal dispatches to your unit, it makes the furnace think that its job is done and the desired temperature has been reached. In all of these cases, an HVAC contractor should be able to determine the root of the problem and make the corresponding repair.

If you think your furnace may be short cycling, contact the trusted HVAC contractors at Forquer Heating & Air Conditioning in North Canton, OH. The family-owned and insured furnace repair crew has been in business since 1996 and has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®. Make an appointment by calling (330) 630-2645. Learn more about their suite of HVAC services by visiting the website.