As you use your furnace to stay warm this winter, you need to keep an eye out for any problems that can occur due to the increased stress on the system. One of the most dangerous problems a furnace can be afflicted with is short cycling. It is important that you know where short cycling comes from, and the damage it can cause, so that you know when to call for repairs. Read on for an outline of the dangers presented by short cycling.
Causes
The most common cause of a furnace short cycling is the air filter in the system becoming clogged with dust and other debris. This causes heat to become trapped in the system, forcing the temperature to rise to high levels that potentially dangerous. The limit switch then activates and shuts down the system to protect it from overheating. The limit switch cannot solve the root problem. So as soon as the furnace reactivates it will just overheat once more and be shut down again. This cycle continues indefinitely, with the system turning on and then being shut off every couple of minutes.