When the winter starts, every homeowner hopes that their heating system will power through the cold and give them efficient heating. However, you might not get quality service from a unit that has received little care and maintenance throughout the year. In such a case, one of the common signs of trouble is a unit that cycles on and off too frequently. Here is how you can tell if yours has this problem.

It's Getting Too Hot

It can be dangerous to leave your furnace on while it's cold outdoors and no one is home. For the most part, overheating is to blame for the frequent short cycling of heating systems. Often, your home will retain too much heat due to poor indoor ventilation. In addition, you will have airflow issues if the ducts are blocked or the filter is clogged.

Weak and Outdated Technology

You should know that the on-and-off cycle may become more frequent as the system ages. In most cases, the typical lifespan of a furnace is between one and two decades. Hence, the unit will lose some of its former efficiency as its useful life ends. So, if your unit is old and worn out, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model.

A Problem Affecting the Temperature Detector

The thermostat determines how much the heater cycles. Hence, if the device fails or is broken, the heating system won't receive a signal to power down. Additionally, the thermostat's location is also an important consideration. Note that you must ensure the thermostat isn't placed in direct sunlight or near a heat source to help reduce the cycling frequency.

The Flame Detector Needs to Be Cleaned

You can take a timer and check how many minutes pass before the unit cycles. If it cycles too often, the reason could be a dirty flame sensor. In most cases, you can regulate cycles and avoid dangerous gas leaks by simply cleaning the sensor.

The Cold Temperatures

When the temperature drops, the heater will turn on more often to keep the house from freezing. Further, even if it has to cycle more frequently, it will do its best to match the weather. That said, your system shouldn't activate and deactivate every few minutes. More so, the duration of the furnace cycle should be sufficient to bring the house to the set temperature without overheating.

These are possible reasons why your system might be short-cycling. You can handle this issue by hiring a heating contractor to assess your unit. They will inspect and identify the problem and determine ways to restore heating efficiency and operational safety. 

For more info, contact a local company like Dr HVAC, Inc.