Furnace short cycling
Short cycling is when the furnace lights, runs for a minute or two, shuts off, then starts over. The house never really warms up, and it wears out parts.
Things you can check
- Filter. A dirty filter cuts airflow, the furnace overheats, and the limit switch shuts the burners off. Change it and watch for a cycle or two.
- Vents. Closing a lot of vents to "save heat" can cause the same overheating.
- Thermostat location. A thermostat right next to a supply vent, a lamp, or in the sun will think the house is warm before it is.
- Outside vent pipes. On newer high-efficiency furnaces, the white plastic pipes out the side of the house can get blocked by snow, ice, leaves or a nest.
What a tech usually finds
A dirty flame sensor is the most common cause on older furnaces in this area: the burners light, then shut off within seconds because the furnace can't confirm the flame. Other causes are a bad limit switch, a weak blower motor or capacitor, a pressure switch problem, or a furnace that's too big for the house.
Get it looked at
Call (681) 405-6130 or use the form below. We're an HVAC dispatch and coordination service for Clarksburg and towns within about 60 miles. We only refer licensed, certified HVAC techs.
The diagnostic is $89. If you approve the repair the same day, the $89 is credited toward it. Calls after 5 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends, are emergency calls: a $100 emergency call-out, in addition to the $89 diagnostic.
No heat? Call now.
$89 diagnostic. It's credited toward the repair if you approve the work the same day.
After-hours calls are taken. Calls after 5 PM on weekdays, and all day on weekends, are emergency calls: a $100 emergency call-out, in addition to the $89 diagnostic.
Towns: Clarksburg, Bridgeport, Fairmont, Shinnston, Weston, Buckhannon, Morgantown.