What To Do If My Furnace Keeps Turning Off

Various problems can cause your furnace to constantly be turning off and on. This revolving sequence of turning off and on is called short cycling. Do not despair! Fixing this problem can be simple and relatively inexpensive.

What You Can Check

There are three simple things you can check to see if they are causing your furnace to keep turning off:

  • Filter: Check to see if your air filter is clean. If your air filter is dirty, it will restrict the air flowing into your furnace, causing the heat exchanger to overheat. When the heat exchanger gets too hot, your furnace will turn off. Open the filter door and remove the filter. If it is covered in dust and dirt, go ahead and replace it. Replace your filter every two or three months during heating season.
  • Thermostat: Make sure the thermostat is working properly. If your thermostat is functioning improperly, it will send wrong information to your heating system controls. Observe it while your furnace is operating. Look for anything that is odd. Make sure the batteries are fresh.
  • Vents: Make sure all of your heat vents are open. Open all of the heat vents in your house or business. Closed vents reduce the airflow through your furnace. This reduced airflow can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut down your furnace.

Hire a Trained Professional If Your Furnace Keeps Turning Off

There are two furnace components you should have trained technicians take a look at, and they are the flame sensor and the blower wheel.

The flame sensor verifies that a flame is present while fuel is being fed to the furnace. Otherwise, an explosive environment can be created. If no flame is detected, fuel will stop flowing and the furnace will turn off. A malfunctioning flame sensor will not detect a flame even if one is present. This faulty information will continue to turn your furnace off.

A dirty blower wheel is not capable of producing the volume of air that the furnace needs to function properly. The heat exchanger will overheat, causing the furnace to turn off.

The NATE-certified furnace technicians at Hoff Heating & AC are trained to determine what could be wrong with your furnace. In addition, we are competent in furnace and air conditioner replacement and installation. Contact us for all of your heating and cooling needs in O’Fallon, MO.