Why Does My Furnace Shut Off After A Few Minutes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When the exchanger heats up to the maximum temperature

, the shuts off after a few minutes. … The furnace won't be able to pull fresh air into the blower if the air filters are clogged with dust, pet hair, and other debris. You should also make sure to open all of your air supply vents.

What does it mean when your furnace keeps shutting off?

If your furnace keeps shutting off, it

could be due to low airflow

. There are several indirect issues that cause low airflow. Dirty Air Filters. If you don't change your air filters often enough, the filters will become dirty and clogged, which means the heat exchanger retains heat and eventually causes it to overheat.

Can a bad thermostat cause your furnace to short cycle?

Your could also cause the HVAC

system to cycle on and off rapidly

, a process known as short cycling. Your furnace or central air conditioner spends a good amount of energy simply turning on and off, which is why you want yours to run for at least 15 minutes at a time before shutting off.

How do you stop a furnace short cycling?

The easiest way to fix a furnace that is short cycling is to

remove the flame sensor to clean it

. Use a sponge or brush to remove the dirt from the sensor. After the part is clean, follow the manufacturer's instructions to insert the flame sensor into the furnace.

Why does my furnace shut off after 15 minutes?

Short-cycling is when a heater doesn't complete its regular heating cycle and turns off early. A full heating cycle for a furnace or heat pump is usually around 15 minutes or more. If your heater keeps turning off after only five minutes, that's too short—no matter how low you've set the thermostat.

What causes furnace to kick on and off?

The top causes to blame when a furnace kicks on and off are:

Air filter needs changed

.

Thermostat batteries need replaced

.

Blower motor malfunctions

.

Why won't my furnace shut off?

If it's cold, that means that your furnace is not running but the air handler is still blowing air. … If the air that the furnace is blowing is hot, that means that the furnace burners aren't turning off. Two very common causes are that the

thermostat is set too high

, or the filters being dirty.

How do I know if my furnace thermostat is bad?

  1. Your HVAC Keeps Turning On or Off. …
  2. Faulty Thermostat Readings. …
  3. Suspiciously High Energy Bills. …
  4. Constant Temperature Shifts. …
  5. Thermostat Is Too Old. …
  6. Thermostat Fails to Respond to Changed Settings. …
  7. Your HVAC System Short Cycles.

How often should a furnace kick on?

On average, furnaces should kick on and turn off anywhere from

three to eight times per hour

. However, if your furnace turns on and off more frequently, don't assume the furnace is short cycling just yet.

Why is my furnace coming on every 5 minutes?


A dirty filter can cause the furnace to overheat

. Short cycle time: 2-5 minutes. … If the furnace gets too hot, the switch shuts down the furnace. A dirty filter prevents a flow of fresh, cool air into the furnace to be heated and dispersed.

How long do furnace thermostats last?

Most thermostats can last

10 years

. After 10 years, they can show signs of age and wear, which means it's time to replace it. Common problems with bad thermostats include faulty sensors, digital screens, etc. If the thermostat goes bad, it can cause your HVAC system to run continuously or not run at all.

How long should a furnace run daily?

Energy Savings

Most systems should run about 2-3 cycles per hour. How long should the furnace or AC run in a given cycle? Typically

10-15 minutes in mild weather

. The closer you get to the max design temperature in heating (0 Degrees) or cooling (90 Degrees) the longer the run cycle will be.

How do you know if you need a new thermostat?

  1. Heating or cooling system will not turn off or on.
  2. The temperature reading is incorrect.
  3. Recent spike in your energy bill.
  4. Frequent temperature fluctuations.
  5. Thermostat is 10 years old or older.

What is considered short cycling for a furnace?

A furnace “short cycles”

when it turns off before reaching the desired temperature

. This means that if your thermostat is set to 72 degrees, the furnace may shut down at 65 or 68 degrees, but will never reach 72 degrees. Short cycling can also be used to describe a furnace that turns on and off too often.

How many hours should furnace run in winter?

Running

10 to 15 minutes per cycle

seems acceptable. So is running as long as 20 minutes. Even running every seven or eight minutes may not be a problem, as other factors could lead to more frequent cycling. Outside temperature, for example, could contribute to how fast or slow the furnace cycles.

Do House thermostats go bad?

If you're wondering whether your thermostat can go bad, rest assured that

it won't happen for a while

. Thermostats don't typically have a set lifespan for maintenance, repair, or replacement (unlike air conditioners that need a tune-up every year).

Can I replace my thermostat myself?

Can I do it myself? An experienced DIY-er

can install most programmable thermostats and some smart thermostats

. … If you're replacing a central air conditioner or heating system, consider a thermostat upgrade at the same time – find a unit that will work with your family's habits to save you the most.

Can I replace my thermostat with any thermostat?

Purchase a replacement thermostat that will work with your system. … Most replacement thermostats

are compatible with all common systems

. However, if your system is unique, finding a replacement thermostat may be difficult.

How do I test my home thermostat?

  1. Step 1: Turn off HVAC power. This can be done by switching the furnace to the off position if your system has an on/off switch. …
  2. Step 2: Remove thermostat cover. …
  3. Step 3: Remove wires from terminals. …
  4. Step 4: Turn the HVAC power back on. …
  5. Step 5: Test other wires.

How much is a thermostat for a furnace?

Appliance Thermostat Labor Furnace

$40 – $80


$150 – $400
Wall or Floor Heater $30 – $85 $200 – $400 Refrigerator $10 – $40 $200 – $400 Electric Water Heater $30 – $70 $100 – $150

How do I test my furnace thermostat?

  1. Step 1: Reset the thermostat lower or higher. …
  2. Step 2: Make sure the thermostat is ON. …
  3. Step 3: Check the wiring. …
  4. Step 4: Turn breaker back on. …
  5. Step 5: Reexamine wires. …
  6. Step 6: Wrap wires together.

Is it normal for a furnace to run every 10 minutes?

With all that being said, if there are no extreme factors involved, the average run time for a furnace is

10-15 minutes per cycle

. Your furnace may need to run two to three times an hour to maintain your desired temperature if your home has average insulation.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.