Why Does My Heater Turn On and Off?

Nothing feels better than coming home from work to a warm, cozy, and comfortable house when it is cold outside. Unfortunately, for some homeowners, getting the heater to function optimally can sometimes prove to be a tricky experience. And quite often, you may have to experience a few heater issues, and your heater turning on and off is definitely one of those common heater problems you’ll have to contend with.

So, what are some of the reasons that might be causing your heater to turn on and off? Under normal circumstances, a furnace that is properly sized for your house, and is in tip-top condition, should cycle on and off from three to five times every hour. However, if it seems to be cycling on and off numerous times more, it’s probably time to call a professional heater maintenance service to closely examine, diagnose, and repair your heating unit. Below are a few compelling reasons that may likely force your furnace to malfunction by turning on and off.

1) Your heater’s filters are dirty:

A dirty air filter puts lots of strain on your furnace, resulting in excess wear and tear. Over time, this will ultimately lead to costly repairs. Cooling and heating experts recommend that you should at least change your heater’s air filters once every month to help mitigate this particular issue. Occasionally replacing the air filter will not only allow your furnace to operate more efficiently, lower your energy costs, but will also circulate fresh air in your home and reduce heater repair incidences.

2) The thermostat is in the wrong spot!

In case you didn’t know, a thermostat that is installed in the wrong spot can potentially make your heater to misbehave. If it is installed near a heat-producing appliance, such as a kitchen stove, it could make the unit think that your home is warmer compared to the actual temperature. It is also imperative to note that a thermostat in direct sunlight will also malfunction, turning on and off regularly even though your home isn’t as warm as you would prefer.

3) Your heater is over sized:

When you purchase a new furnace, it must be properly sized for your house. When you have a furnace that is too big for your space, the chances are only high that it will heat your home much faster. And this simply implies that when it’s done heating your home, it will shut off immediately. Unfortunately, without consistent heating, your home will ultimately cool down, and the process will continue again and again. The only way to fix this particular problem is to contact your local heater installation professional to help find a new, properly-sized heater.

4) The flame sensor is dirty:

If your heater shuts off quite often, you could have a corroded or dirty flame sensor. If you didn’t know, a flame sensor lets your furnace know there is a flame when the gas valve is open. This simply implies that if there isn’t a flame, the sensor will shut off the gas valve to prevent the gas from getting into your house. If the flame sensor is either corroded or is dirty, the flame will not register and will ultimately turn off the gas valve, which, in turn, will force your unit to shut down. It is highly recommended that you contact your local heater technician to come to diagnose your heater if it is cycling on and off.

5) A damaged blower motor:

This is another potential culprit. The blower motor is the device that distributes air throughout your home. When it is malfunctioning, it can cause your furnace to turn on and off. The best way to check if this is the problem is to put your hands closer to the vents to confirm if there is any air coming out. If there is restricted airflow or the airflow is fairly weaker, just know your unit’s blower motor is misfiring! You may also need to seek the services of a qualified technician to help diagnose the same issue.

If your heater keeps shutting off, don’t hesitate to contact our heater service experts. It is the surest way to troubleshoot this type of problem. Give us a call on 1300 100 040.