Why Won’t My Furnace Stay On?

A furnace that doesn’t work properly during cold weather compromises your comfort and poses health and safety hazards for you and your family. Read on to learn about the most common reasons that your furnace won’t stay on when you most need its all-encompassing warmth.

Short Cycling

When a furnace falls short of reaching and maintaining the desired temperature, it’s essential to identify the source of the problem. Short cycling is often caused by the fan limiter, which is a safety mechanism that shuts down the system to prevent fires and gas leaks. From malfunctioning thermostats to a damaged igniter, many situations can kick the fan limiter into action. An inspection performed by a skilled HVAC technician can pinpoint the problem.

Dirty Components

Without regularly scheduled maintenance, dirt and dust can accumulate on critical components that impact furnace cycling. For example, a dirty flame sensor or thermocouple can trigger safety components to turn off the gas valve and shut down the furnace.

The most cost-efficient way to prevent future problems is to keep the equipment as clean as possible. Monthly filter changes during the cold-weather season can pay off big when it comes to lowering your heating costs.

Improper Installation

If your furnace is fairly new, short cycling might be caused by improper sizing. Oversized systems tend to switch off before the heat has a chance to circulate through the entire living space. This situation isn’t dangerous, but it does impact your comfort. Constant on/off operation can also send your utility bills soaring.

Most problems with short cycling can be prevented with regularly scheduled maintenance from a qualified HVAC professional at Davis Air Conditioning & Heating. Since 1971, we’ve been proud to provide heating services ranging from emergency repairs to new installations that ensure our neighbors in Greater Austin stay warm and comfortable no matter how low the mercury falls.