One of the most common reasons that a furnace will short cycle is that it hasn’t been properly fit to the house it is trying to keep warm. If the furnace is too large for the house, this is a common problem. However, this isn’t the only reason that a furnace will short cycle. There are several other problems that can arise and cause your furnace to turn on, only to turn off again right away. New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing is here to talk about some of these other problems so that you can avoid them this winter.

Why Does Short Cycling Happen?

As mentioned above, there is more than one reason why you might be experiencing short cycling which can lead you to feel uncomfortable cold this winter. Following are some of the most common causes for this frustrating problem:
– Damaged Igniter: Many furnaces today don’t have a pilot light that stays lit all the time. The gas is usually burned with the help of a hot surface igniter. While this is extremely efficient, it can malfunction or become damaged which will not allow the gas to ignite. If there is no igniter that is working, the furnace will shut down so that gas doesn’t start to build up in the system.
– Blocked Flue: Every furnace will have a flue that allows the harmful gases and byproducts to be vented to the outdoors. It isn’t uncommon for small rodents to build their nests in this flue pipe. When these blockages occur, there are safety mechanisms in place that will shut the furnace down to keep these harmful byproducts from making their way into the air you breathe.
– Dirty Filter: It is vital that homeowners replace the filter in their furnaces on a regular basis. Without a clean filter, your furnace isn’t going to get the air that it needs to operative properly. It causes the furnace to overheat and then shut down. There are safety mechanisms inside the furnace that can sense when the system is getting too warm and will shut down the furnace right away.
– Corroding Flame Sensor: The flame sensor inside your furnace is another essential part in ensuring your safety while heating your home this winter. If the flame sensor is covered in dust or is starting to corrode, it will not sense the flame whether it is there or not. If this happens, the furnace will shut down and no longer work.

Boiler & Furnace Heating Maintenance, Repair, Replacement & More in Bedford Hills, Manhattan, Flushing, Queens, Brooklyn & The Bronx, New York

If you are having problems with short cycling in your house, it is time to call on New York Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing to come take a look. We will solve whatever issue it is that is causing problems with your furnace so that you are warm and comfortable with winter season. There is no problem we aren’t equipped to handle. Call us today!