A furnace functioning well in Auburn, AL, will have heating cycles of about 10 to 15 minutes. Longer cycles indicate a problem within the system that can increase your operational costs and repair expenses. Understanding these common causes of extended furnace heating cycles allows you to quickly resolve the issue, preventing significant damage.
Dirty Air Filter
One of the most common causes of extended heating cycles, and preventable furnace repairs, is simply a dirty air filter. In general, 1- and 2-inch filters need replacing about every 90 days. Clogged filters prevent air from moving into your system, restricting the amount of heated air available.
Thermostat Fan Setting
Your thermostat has two fan settings: On and Auto. When it’s switched to On, the circulating fan will run constantly.
In this case, your furnace isn’t actually running continuously; it’s just the circulating fan. Switch the setting to Auto to sync your fan with your furnace cycles.
Faulty Blower Motor
Your system cannot circulate air without the circulating fan and its motor. An old, faulty or unbalanced motor may not spin as quickly. This causes the system to run longer to achieve your desired temperature.
Blocked or Closed Vents
Even if your system can draw the right amount of air in, it must also push that air back out. With blocked or closed vents, your furnace will run constantly trying to heat your space. Check to make sure each of your vents has at least a 2-inch clearance around and above it.
Lack of Maintenance
Your furnace gets dirty internally thanks to byproducts of burned fuel and airborne contaminants that get past your filter. Annual maintenance allows not only for an inspection of your unit but also for cleaning these areas to ensure your furnace operates at optimal efficiency.
Keep your system running effectively all winter long by giving it appropriate maintenance now. If you haven’t had maintenance in quit a while, call to schedule your HVAC maintenance with our NATE-certified technicians at Indoor Solutions today.
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