Winters can be indispensably intense, especially in cities like Edmonton. Thankfully, HVAC systems like furnaces do the job of keeping us warm. However, like all machines, a furnace can have a bad day too! One of the most common issues you might face is short cycling.

Short cycling means when your furnace turns on and off without reaching the set temperature. While in most cases you need to call furnace maintenance in Edmonton, look at these eight causes behind this issue.

8 Causes of Short Furnace Cycling

1. Overheated Unit

Your furnace’s temperature control mechanism cools down the system when the temperature exceeds a specific limit. However, if this mechanism starts to fail, your unit will overheat, causing it to shut down. Other reasons for overheating are faulty or cracked heat exchangers. In worst cases, a cracked heat exchanger can overheat the other internal components leading to short cycling.

2. Malfunctioning Pilot Sensors

As your furnace grows older, small amounts of moisture produced in the system can corrode the hardware. When this corrosion spreads across the internal elements, the furnace is most likely to cause short cycling. Thus, it’s important to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the system by scheduling regular furnace maintenance in Edmonton.

3. Oversized Unit

If the furnace is too large for your home, it will heat up quickly while distributing the heat unevenly. This excess heat is most likely to escape through holes and crevices. The furnace loses so much energy and heat that it will start short cycling to maintain a constant temperature.

Thus, it’s always best to consult a professional furnace installation in Edmonton as they suggest the right-sized unit.

4. Malfunctioning Thermostat

A malfunctioning thermostat is often a cause of short cycling. Check your thermostat to see if the temperature and mode settings are fine. There have been instances when homeowners forget to switch on the heating mode, leading to short cycling.

5. Dirty Air Filter

If your furnace’s air filters are full of gunk and debris, it will block the airflow. As the warm air cannot flow out, the furnace’s internal temperature will rise, causing it to shut down. In such cases, you can expect excess short cycling.

6. Damaged Starting Mechanism

If the starting mechanism (igniter) gets damaged, it will heat up and shut down the pilot light. In such cases, the furnace will turn off immediately to prevent gas accumulation.

7. Blocked Flue Pipes

There are many instances of small birds and rodents getting into your furnace’s flue pipes. It can lead to a blockage, and the furnace in response will shut down as a safety mechanism. This will immediately cause short cycling,

8. Poor Insulation

As soon as you go for a furnace installation in Edmonton, the first step is to check your home’s insulation. Check for open windows, cracked seals, etc. Poor insulation prevents your furnace from heating your home adequately, which in turn causes short cycling.

Has your furnace been short cycling lately? We can fix it. Speak to one of our experts today at 780-463-5063.