By now, you have probably turned on your furnace. Here in Clovis, you can expect some chilly winter temperatures. During this time of the year, we know how important it is for you to have an efficient and effective furnace. Of course, you want your furnace to run as smoothly as possible, so if you have noticed any issues, don’t ignore them! Waiting until the last minute can cause some significant damage and leave you with a higher repair bill.
One issue you should never ignore is short-cycling, which can be quite harmful to your furnace. Don’t hesitate to contact your local HVAC company if you’ve noticed your system running in short bursts. Luckily, California Indoor Comfort offers furnace repair service!
What is Short-Cycling?
Short-cycling is an industry term used to describe an HVAC system that turns on and off too frequently throughout the course of a day.
What Causes Short Cycling?
Short cycling most commonly occurs when heat is trapped in the system. This is most often due to a clogged air filter. When the airflow into the system becomes obstructed, the temperature inside the furnace rises, and eventually the system overheats. This activates the limit switch, which shuts down the furnace as a safety measure. As the system restarts, the process will happen over and over again.
Why is it a Problem?
There are so many reasons why short cycling is problematic. You want to take care of the issue as soon as possible by contacting an HVAC professional.
Issues include:
- Increased Wear and Tear: When your system short cycles, it is under a lot of stress. It requires a lot of energy to start the heating cycle, which puts enormous strain on the furnace’s components. Short cycling accelerates the rate at which the furnace wears down. If left unattended, the system will eventually break down, leaving you with a pretty big repair bill.
- Decreased Efficiency: When your system must work harder to circulate heat throughout your home, it uses a lot of energy. So much of the energy being used goes towards starting the heat cycle and not actually for heating for your home. This will cause heating bills to skyrocket.
If you notice that your furnace is short-cycling, don’t hesitate. Waiting until the last minute will only cause further damage to the system. We know how important it is to keep your system running effectively and efficiently. The best way to avoid short-cycling altogether is to schedule regular preventative maintenance. Also, having your air filter changed more than just once a year is highly beneficial to the overall function of your furnace.
California Indoor Comfort Inc. offers both repair and maintenance services. Our services are designed to catch large problems when they are still quite small. Ideally, you should schedule your maintenance services twice a year. Our service team can take care of your system year in and year out, granting you peace of mind.