When a home heating unit is working as it should, it automatically turns on as it senses that the indoor air has gotten too cold. As the temperature approaches the desired setting, the system will shut itself off, and in most cases, the process is automated. If the unit rapidly cycles on and off, however, there may be a serious problem. Try these troubleshooting tips before calling for heating maintenance in Cleveland Oh.
Diagnosing the Issue
If a furnace randomly turns on and off, it’s typically because of short-cycling. This term is used to explain problems that come from within the system. If a short-cycling issue isn’t promptly diagnosed and resolved, it may cause lasting damage to the unit as well as higher heating bills. The average residential heating system cycles off and on at least three times per hour, and to diagnose an issue, a technician will observe how many times it stops and starts within that time.
Focus on the Filter
Another common cause of short-cycling is, fortunately, easy to fix. If a homeowner doesn’t make a habit of regularly cleaning or changing the furnace’s air filter, it will undoubtedly have a major effect on the unit’s efficiency. Warm air won’t pass through a dirty filter, and it will backup within the system. This sends the wrong message to the system that the home is sufficiently warm, and the unit will then power cycle. To avoid these issues, be sure to change the filter at the start of the heating season and check it once per month.
Check the Thermostat
Sometimes, short-cycling issues are caused by a malfunctioning thermostat and not the unit itself. A homeowner should verify that the thermostat is on and set to the proper setting before calling for heating maintenance in Cleveland Oh. Placement makes a substantial difference. If the thermostat is too close to a register or a window, it may sense that the indoor temperature is too warm. When this happens, the unit will turn off.
Other Potential Causes
If the above causes have been ruled out, the issue may have one of the following causes:
• Corrosion on the flame sensor
• Improper unit sizing
• A foreign object in the air vent or chimney
If any of these causes are suspected, visit A New Image Heating & Cooling website for more details or call to schedule a visit from an experienced HVAC technician.
