At the height of the cold weather season, it might seem like your furnace is constantly cycling. If your furnace starts doing this during periods of extreme cold, such as when the temperature drops well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, there is a possibility that your furnace is in need of a repair. A prompt inspection by an experienced technician who performs furnace repair in Edina MN can determine if there is a problem with your heating unit. Consider these three common reasons why a Minnesota furnace may frequently cycle during times of extremely cold weather.
Dirty Air Filter
A clogged air filter is a leading cause of why your furnace may be turning back on right after it has finished a cycle. Furnace air filters have tiny pores that are only a few microns in diameter. Pet hair, dust, pollen and shed skin cells can quickly clog these pores. Most furnace filters are disposable and should be replaced every 2 to 3 months during the wintertime. You can call for HVAC service and the technician will do this for you.
Thermostat Is Set Too High
While gas furnaces are highly efficient at converting fuel into heat, there are limits as to how much heat gain they can produce inside of your house. If the outdoor temperature is well below zero degrees Fahrenheit and your thermostat is set to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, then your furnace may only rarely turn off. Furnaces are not designed to produce such a great temperature differential. Lowering your thermostat between 68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit will decrease the frequency of its cycling.
Low Efficiency
If your furnace is more than 25 years old, it may be at or near the end of its lifespan. An Eden Prairie, MN furnace repair professional may be able to improve the unit’s efficiency with services such as cleaning the burners and lubricating the motor and fan. If the furnace continues to cycle at a high frequency, then should consider replacing it. Today’s newest heating equipment offers efficiency levels of 98 percent. This means that 98 percent of the fuel is turned into heat.
Edina and Eden Prairie residents know that when they need quality repair, they can count on professionals such as Air Quality Service to provide it.
Sources:
(Why Does a Furnace Run Constantly in Sub Zero Weather?, eHow.com)
(Troubleshooting a Gas Furnace – Furnace Repair, About.com)