Insufficient airflow into the furnace
For the burners to ignite, they need airflow. The airflow into the furnace comes from the blower fan that draws air through the return air ducts. But if this airflow is choked off because of a clogged furnace filter or faulty blower, the burners may not be able to stay on for long.
If your furnace shuts off after a few minutes and starts more than eight times an hour, it may require repair. Common causes of furnace short cycling include restricted airflow, a malfunctioning flame sensor, or a poorly placed thermostat.
A furnace cycling on and off repeatedly can be caused by various reasons, from dirty filters and obstructions in ducts and registers to incorrect thermostat settings and faulty limit switches.
There are multiple reasons why your furnace is short cycling. These could include a dirty filter, blocked vent, or malfunctioning flame sensor. You can switch for a clean furnace filter, or have your HVAC technician resolve a more complicated issue.
Low airflow.
If your furnace keeps turning off, check for issues such as: Dirty Air Filters. A clogged filter restricts airflow, causing the furnace to overheat. Replace air filters every 60 to 90 days to prevent this problem.
The simple solution: Turn your furnace off and check the filter. If it's dirty or it's been 3 months or more since you changed it, put a new, high-quality filter in place.
Quick Fixes: Key Takeaways for Furnace Fan Problems
Check the circuit breaker, thermostat settings, and air filter first as these are common causes of furnace fan failure. Inspect electrical connections, listen for unusual noises, and verify proper airflow through vents during operation.
If your furnace shuts off after 15 minutes, a dirty air filter is likely blocking your heat. It's important to change dirty air filters at least every 90 days to avoid harmful debris build-up that obstructs your system's functions and distributes unhealthy air throughout your home.
Most modern thermostats will have a clearly marked reset button inside the panel. It's usually small and recessed, so you might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it. For those wondering specifically how to reset air conditioner thermostat models, the process is generally the same.
The cause of your furnace not blowing hot air could be the thermostat configuration, a dirty air filter, the high limit switch, a clogged condensate line, insufficient fuel, leaky ducts, ignition problems, a blocked burner, flame sensor issues, gas valve malfunctions, a cracked heat exchanger, or a clogged coil.
Your Furnace Turns On and then Off Quickly
Short cycling is a common sign of a bad flame sensor. The sensor thinks that there isn't a flame, so it shuts off the gas as a safety mechanism. Except, there is a flame and without the gas to supply it, it dies.
If your furnace is not producing heat, there are several potential causes. These include but are not limited to a broken thermostat, the thermostat being set too low, an extinguished pilot light, a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker, a closed gas valve, or issues with the electronic ignition.
Slowly turn the thermostat from off to heat and increase the temperature. Both the thermostat and furnace should make a sound. The problem lies in the appliance that does not make a sound.
If nothing's happening when you're expecting the whir of a blower, check the circuit breaker and fuse. At your electrical panel, make sure all switches related to the HVAC system are on. Reset any tripped breakers and replace all blown fuses, and your furnace should kick back on.
If a furnace isn't receiving enough airflow, it may overheat and trigger the reset button to trip. Make sure to clean or replace the air filters and keep the air vents open enough for proper airflow. Occasionally, the flame sensor rod may be coated with dirt and debris, causing the furnace to shut off.
Furnaces need cold air for the heat exchanger to heat up. If there isn't enough coming in, the system will shut itself off as a safety measure. Once the internal temperature within your furnace stabilizes, it will kick back on again. However, the dirty air filter forces the furnace to repeat this short cycling.
Thermostat Troubles Can Cause Short Cycling
Your furnace or central air conditioner spends a good amount of energy simply turning on and off, which is why you want yours to run for at least 15 minutes at a time before shutting off.