Why Does The Furnace Keeping Turning On And Off Quickly?
ShareWhile you may not pay very much attention to your furnace when it is running, most people know what their furnace normally sounds like as it operates. You know what sounds is normal for your unit and about how long the unit cycles on for before it turns off. But, if you start to hear your unit turning on and then turning off again very quickly, you may find yourself wondering what is going on. Here are a few of the common reasons why your furnace may keep turning on and off quickly and what repairs may be needed to solve that problem.
The Air Filter is Dirty
One of the top reasons why a furnace turns on and off quickly is because you have a full air filter. When your furnace turns on, it pulls air through the air filter and into the furnace. If the air filter is dirty, your unit may be unable to pull air in. If it cannot pull much air in, it shuts off quickly. It then tries to power on again in a short period of time, but once again, cannot pull air in. The cycle continues and you hear your furnace turning on and off repeatedly. Replacing the filter will solve this issue.
The Blower is Clogged
The second reason why a furnace may turn on and off quickly is because the blower is clogged. A blower can be clogged with dirt, dust, debris and outdoor elements, including leaves. The blower takes the heated air within your furnace and blows it out toward the system that carries the heated air to your registers or vents. If the blower is clogged, hot air has nowhere to go. It stays within the furnace, so the thermostat within the furnace tells the unit to turn off as soon as your home thermostat tells it to turn on. A professional will need to clean the blower and unclog it to solve this problem.
The Motor is Dry
The final reason why your furnace may be turning on and off too quickly is because the motor is dry. A motor can dry out simply due to the heat that the unit is producing. A professional can oil or lubricate your motor, helping it to function again. This will prevent your unit from turning on and off quickly.
If your furnace keeps turning on and off quickly, one of these three reasons may be the likely culprit. However, these are not the only reasons why your unit may be doing this. In some cases, your furnace may be failing and may need more extensive repairs or even replacement. If your furnace is turning on and off quickly, contact a furnace repair company. They can come out, diagnose the problem and make the repairs that are needed to get your furnace functional again.