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Furnace: What Does Short Cycling Mean?

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Furnace: What Does Short Cycling Mean?

Posted On: December 30, 2024

Furnace: What Does Short Cycling Mean?

Short cycling is a term used to describe a situation where your furnace turns on and off repeatedly without completing a full heating cycle. This inefficient operation not only compromises the comfort of your home but can also lead to higher energy bills and unnecessary wear and tear on your furnace.


Common Causes of Furnace Short Cycling:

  1. Dirty Air Filters
    A clogged air filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to overheat and shut down as a safety precaution. Replacing the air filter regularly can prevent this issue.


  2. Thermostat Issues
    If your thermostat is located in an area that heats up quickly, such as near a heat source or in direct sunlight, it can signal the furnace to shut off prematurely. Incorrect thermostat settings or malfunctions can also cause short cycling.


  3. Oversized Furnace
    A furnace that’s too large for your home will heat the space quickly and then shut off, only to restart when the temperature drops. This constant on-and-off cycle is inefficient and can reduce the lifespan of your furnace.


  4. Blocked Vents or Ductwork
    Obstructions in your ductwork or closed vents can disrupt proper airflow, leading to overheating and short cycling.


  5. Faulty Flame Sensor
    A dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor can cause the furnace to shut down as it fails to detect the burner flame. Cleaning or replacing the flame sensor can resolve the issue.


  6. Low Airflow
    Problems with the blower motor, fan, or other components affecting airflow can lead to short cycling. Insufficient airflow causes the furnace to overheat and shut off prematurely.


  7. Improper Gas Pressure
    Incorrect gas pressure can affect the furnace’s combustion process, causing it to turn off before completing a cycle. This issue requires professional attention.


Why Short Cycling Matters

Short cycling not only results in uneven heating and discomfort but also:


  • Increases energy consumption, leading to higher utility bills.
  • Puts excessive strain on furnace components, potentially shortening its lifespan.
  • Raises the risk of furnace breakdowns or costly repairs.

How to Address Furnace Short Cycling

  • Change or Clean Air Filters: Ensure regular maintenance to keep airflow unrestricted.
  • Check Thermostat Placement: Relocate or recalibrate the thermostat if needed.
  • Inspect Ductwork and Vents: Clear any blockages or open closed vents.
  • Professional Maintenance: Schedule regular furnace tune-ups to ensure all components are functioning properly.
  • Consult an HVAC Technician: If the problem persists, a professional can diagnose and repair complex issues like gas pressure irregularities or faulty parts.

If you suspect your furnace is short cycling, addressing the problem promptly can restore comfort to your home and protect your heating system from further damage.



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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Anonymous from Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

End to end service. From quote, overseeing installation, contacting and making arrangements for energy audit. Warranty program is comprehensive. Cleaned up mess of assistant walking through my place without proper indoor foot covering when I pointed out that I was not happy about footprints on my floors.

by Bob S in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

In April we hired Twintech Heating & Cooling to replace our 20 year old water tank & 35 year old air conditioner. We got 5 estimates for the job & decided to go with Twintech for the following reasons.

- The Sales Manager, Dave, was very personable & knowledgeable as all of our questions were answered. (We had a list of questions we asked each of the contractors when we got the estimates)
- We got 5 estimates for the job. All contractors verbally told us they had the required qualifications but Dave was the only one to physically show us their license & insurance documentation.
- Twintech carried the Napoleon air conditioner & we wanted to support Canadian industry as it is assembled in Barrie On.

Safety is important at Twintech as demonstrated when we discussed with Dave, the need to change our install date because of freezing rain. Access was required by navigating a set of outside steps & Dave identified that safety took precedence.
On the installation date, Greg, Peter & Grant showed up on time & methodically accomplished the removal & installation of both units. The guys did a great job cleaning up as well.

When the job was completed we mentioned to Greg that we were pleased with the work they had done & were going to have them come out & do our furnace inspection in Sept. Greg said we can save our money as he had inspected the heat exchanger on the furnace while doing the job & there was no need to have another inspection in Sept. We were very impressed with Greg’s initiative. This is top shelf service. Thank you Greg.

As the weather was too cool to complete a functional test of the air conditioner on the installation date, Dave made a follow-up call to us to see how things were going & Greg also came out to check the operation. No problems.

We are very happy we hired professionals like Dave, Greg, Grant & Peter & have no hesitation in recommending Twintech Heating & Cooling. They will now be our "go to" guys.

by ted diplock in Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

These guys are the best. From start to finish they exceeded my expectations and delivered a great product. They accommodated the nuances of my 100 year old home which was really appreciated. The install was easy to schedule and done fantastically. I’m so excited to have an efficiently heated and cooled home.

by Private User from Kitchener on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech were fast and efficient contractors. It only took 48 hours between an initial home visit and complete installation. The workmen were polite and hardworking. The site was left clean with the old furnace etc. removed. They helped arrange an environmental assessment in order that I could receive the maximum rebate. They even called me within a week to determine if I was satisfied with their work and to reassure me that I could call them anytime I experienced heating difficulties or had any questions. I recommend Twintech for your heating problems.

by dlcarroll in Vaughan on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Courteous and professional service from initial consultation through to the installation. We highly recommend Twintech for outstanding service in the industry. Competitive pricing, professional and accurate advice, attention to detail, respect for their client's home and cleaning up at the completion of installation.

by TraceyG from Toronto on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Last night was the coldest day of the year so far and I woke up to my house being 54 degrees... I called Twintech at 2:45am and Greg was on site by 3:30am. The furnace required a part and he returned to his shop and came back to my home around 4:15am, furnace up and running by 4:30am. THANK YOU TWINTECH! Your service is second to none.

by Cristelle from Ajax on Twintech Heating and Cooling

After much research & getting 4 quotes, we hired Twintech team for our new furnace installation, prices were fair, they carried great product brands & more importantly installation was expertly done by one of the owners (Greg & his assistant Peter) which gave me an added piece of mind. Dave was very organized & answered all my questions in great detail, especially re: the Enbridge & Govt. rebate program.

by David from Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

My old air conditioner was 20 years old and developed a Freon leak and it was more cost effective to replace rather than repair. There are a large number of heating and air conditioning companies available in my area so I contacted several for quotes. Twintech heating and cooling responded quickly to the inquiry I left on their website and their sales person Dave came by the following day. He was knowledgeable about the field and was able to show copies of the various refrigeration and gas fitting licenses along with workmens compensation, TSSA and other certifications. He also suggested a particular manufacturer and model of AC unit appropriate to my house and gave me a quote. Since the price was reasonable, service had been good and the reviews on the internet were also good, I decided to purchase an AC unit from them. Installation was quickly scheduled. They showed up on time, did a good job installing the new unit including some sheet metal work to get the new heat exchanger to fit in the furnace duct, and cleaned up afterward. In addition, they noticed that my existing AC was installed too close to the furnace exhaust (based on building code) and were able to mount the new AC the appropriate distance from the exhaust. Overall, they did an excellent job and were a pleasure to work with.

by LP from Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

All interactions from sales to installation were Courteous and professional. The installation was seamless and the attention to detail including clean up was outstanding. I highly recommend TwinTech Heating and Cooling.

by David in Pickering on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Twintech's Salesman Dave arrived promptly was friendly and courteous, listened and assured us the installation would be completed according to our requests. The crew arrived early morning on May 11th, 2018 and worked through till late afternoon non-stop. They were very friendly, very professional, their expertise was excellent, their workmanship outstanding and the installation was completed in a timely and efficient manner. We were completely satisfied and happy with the quality of the work.

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See What Our Customers Are Saying:

by Robert Rogers on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Very pleased with the professional service that TwinTech Heating and Cooling provided in replacing my furnace. I got several quotes from different service providers. Their price was excellent and they explained the features very well. We are very glad we went with TwinTech and highly recommend their services.

by Robert Mizuno on Twintech Heating and Cooling

We were new homeowners in need of a second opinion. TwinTech Heating & Cooling were Amazing and professional. Very knowledgeable and great service all around. Recommend to anyone looking for honest and reliable services. Treated with respect and care. Thank you Greg, Mitch and Bob!

by Ruth on Twintech Heating and Cooling

TwinTech is an excellent and honest company! I called them for a second opinion after being told by another company that I needed to replace my furnace. Turns out this was not the case at all! I did not need a new furnace. TwinTech did not push to make an unnecessary sale and saved me from a huge expense. Bob and Mitch were extremely professional and above all honest! I definitely recommend TwinTech!

by Anna Chin on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Amazing experience with TwinTech Heating & Cooling! Their team was professional, knowledgeable, and efficient from start to finish. They installed my new furnace quickly and left everything spotless. The technicians took the time to explain everything and made sure I was comfortable with the system before they left. Great customer service and fair pricing. I highly recommend them for anyone needing HVAC services!

by Connor Agnew on Twintech Heating and Cooling

Great experience all around. Bob was sharp and easy to talk to, and Greg handled the installation perfectly. Would hire them again in a heartbeat.

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