Furnace Short Cycling, and What to do About it
Have you ever noticed your furnace turning itself on and off every few minutes? If so, you probably have a short cycling problem. Short cycling is a serious threat to the health of the furnace, caused by a dysfunctional interaction between a part called the “limit switch” and the furnace. Let’s take a look at why it happens, what it can do to your system, and what you need to do about it.
Causes of Short Cycling
Short cycling is caused by the furnace overheating, something that is typically caused by a clogged air filter. This traps warm air in the furnace, which causes the temperature to skyrocket. The limit switch then activates, shutting down the furnace to protect it from overheating. The problem is that the switch does not solve the cause of the overheating. When the furnace cools off enough to restart, it will only overheat again and the cycle will continue.
Problems Caused by Short Cycling
Prolonged short cycling exposes the furnace to intense stress that it wasn’t designed to handle. This increased wear and tear makes it all but inevitable that problems will develop in the system. If the short cycling is not corrected, the furnace will be very likely to break down entirely. If nothing else, it will have its effective lifespan shortened considerably. Short cycling also prevents the furnace from ever completing a full cycle, which is necessary to adequately heat the house. If you want your furnace to last as long as possible, as well as actually provide proper heat, you should call for repairs as soon as you notice it short cycling.
If you notice your furnace short cycling, call PRK Services, Inc. We offer comprehensive furnace repair services throughout Krum, TX.