A dirty air filter is the most common cause of short-cycling. If your air filter is clogged with dirt, it won’t allow proper air flow to the heat exchanger. That can cause the furnace to overheat and forces the high limit switch to ride to the rescue by shutting the furnace off.

Why does my furnace turn on and off quickly?

So, if your furnace keeps turning off and on too quickly, your thermostat might be malfunctioning or broken. There are several things that could be causing your thermostat to not work properly. The wiring could be old and need replacing, it might need new batteries, or it could be the location of your thermostat.

Why does my gas furnace keep cycling on and off?





When gas gets built up in a new furnace it may shut down for extended periods of time until it can be reset to try again. Some older furnaces may not have this and could cycle off and on as gas is built up. This switch turns your furnace off if gases are not properly ventilated out of the exhaust flue.

How do I stop my furnace from short cycling?

3 Ways to Stop Your Furnace from Short-Cycling

  1. Check (and Change) the Air Filter. We know it’s annoying to hear so much about air filters and replacing them often. …
  2. Check the Thermostat. There are a couple of different options for troubleshooting your thermostat. …
  3. Call an HVAC Professional.

Can a faulty thermostat cause short cycling?

A faulty thermostat can be a possible culprit for short cycling. If you’re experiencing a furnace short cycling, the first and easy thing you can do is check your thermostat to see if it’s performing correctly. Many times, a homeowner may forget to switch their thermostat over to the heating mode.

How do you fix short cycling?





How To Stop and Prevent Short-Cycling

  1. Check your air filter. Believe it or not, a clogged air filter can cause a wide variety of air conditioning issues. …
  2. Check your thermostat placement. …
  3. Check your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels. …
  4. Replace the low-pressure control switch. …
  5. Check the compressor.

Why does my furnace keep shutting off after a few seconds?

A common reason a furnace short cycles is because the heat exchanger, the part that heats your air, is getting too hot due to a lack of airflow. Once the heat exchanger overheats, it trips the high limit switch, which shuts the furnace down to protect it.

Why does my furnace turns off before reaching temperature?

A lack of airflow can cause your furnace to stop heating before reaching the set temperature. Ensure there is nothing impeding airflow around your furnace, within your furnace and through your ducts. Check that registers are open, no ducts are damaged or crushed and replace your furnace filter.

Why does my heat keep short cycling?



A dirty air filter is the most common cause of short-cycling. If your air filter is clogged with dirt, it won’t allow proper air flow to the heat exchanger. That can cause the furnace to overheat and forces the high limit switch to ride to the rescue by shutting the furnace off.

Is short cycling an emergency?

Sure, short-cycling is a warning of a problem–like a refrigerant leak. But the real problem is what short-cycling does to your cooling system. It shortens the system’s service life, increases repair needs, causes and increase in energy use and a decline in home comfort.

How long should furnace run before shutting off?

If your furnace is operating correctly, it should cycle about 2 to 3 times per hour. How long it operates depends on how cold it is outside. In milder temperatures, it may run for 10 to 15 minutes. The colder it gets, the longer the run cycle will be.

Why is my furnace turning on every 5 minutes?



A dirty filter can cause the furnace to overheat. Short cycle time: 2-5 minutes. The key is that the furnace shuts off before your home is warmed. You might also notice hot air (warmer than usual) coming out of your heat grates.

How often should a furnace cycle on and off?

three to eight times per hour

On average, furnaces should kick on and turn off anywhere from three to eight times per hour. However, if your furnace turns on and off more frequently, don’t assume the furnace is short cycling just yet.

Why won’t my furnace shut off?

If your furnace won’t shut off, you likely have one of the following issues: Thermostat issue. Dirty air filter. Faulty blower.

What do you do when your furnace keeps running?



What you can do if your furnace won’t stop running:

  1. Check the thermostat setting. …
  2. Inspect the air filter. …
  3. Look into weatherizing. …
  4. Check your ductwork. …
  5. Check the vents. …
  6. Check the thermostat. …
  7. When you need heating equipment installation, maintenance and repairs, trust P.

Why won’t my heat stop running?

A faulty thermostat can cause your heating unit to run and not turn off. The unit may have a broken heating sensor, the wiring may have gone bad, or the switch itself may have broken. The older the thermostat is, the more at risk you are for this happening. Fortunately, a broken thermostat is an extremely easy fix.