Solved: Nest Noticed Your Furnace Shuts Down Within 15 Minutes of Heating
Using a smart thermostat isn’t just wise for saving on heating costs. It can also let you know if there’s a problem with your furnace.
The Google Nest has a feature called Furnace Heads Up, which will let you know if it detects an issue with your heating system. You’ll see the alert on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.
One of the most frequent problems is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s what’s doing on and how you can correct it.
Your Furnace is Short Cycling
When you get the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” it’s saying your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace turns on for a brief period of time then turns off. This HVAC game of red light, green light stops your home from heating up and can drive up your energy bill. It can also increase deterioration on your furnace. It may also be more susceptible to breaking down and may even require replacement sooner.
Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not detect your furnace is turning on and off frequently, because its blower fan might keep running. This feature can detect power interruptions that take place during short cycling.
How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?
There are a few simple ways you can prevent your furnace from short cycling.
Change Your Air Filter Often
If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut down prematurely to avoid overheating. We encourage changing flat filters every month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s simple to stay on top of changing your filter by setting up a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.
If you’ve replaced your filter after receiving a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can run a test to see if that fixes the problem.
- Push the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select “settings” and then “equipment.”
- The thermostat will display the wires linked to it. Choose “continue.”
- You’ll see system components shown. Select “test.”
- Choose “Furnace Heads Up” and follow the instructions. Your furnace will go through a 15-minute heating check and give you the results when it’s done.
Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t pass the test, something else could be awry that needs professional help. If this happens, call Winnipeg Supply Service Experts at 204-800-0613 for furnace repair.
Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor
Having a dirty or bad flame sensor is another top explanation why your furnace might short cycle. You can determine if there’s a problem by paying attention to your furnace as it starts up. Here’s what to look for.
- Take off the door from your furnace so you can look at the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not have to remove the door for this.
- Switch on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a higher indoor temperature.
- When you turn on the heat, the fan will turn on first. You should hear it turn on.
- The ignitor will start to glow. The ignitor is either on the left or right of the burners, but it varies according to the furnace model.
- Once the ignitor is warm enough, the gas will turn on and the burners will ignite.
- If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually due to the fact it’s dirty or malfunctioning. Your furnace will then shut off as a safety precaution. If your furnace is short cycling, you’ll notice the flame and fan shutting off after a couple of seconds.
If you’re wondering how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire continuously, a combination of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin layer of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will end the short cycling issue. This task is best left to an Expert. That’s because an HVAC professional like Winnipeg Supply Service Experts will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.
Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently
Your high-efficiency furnace exhausts combustion gases outdoors through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get clogged by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to make sure it’s always clear. If the pipe gets clogged, it can cause your furnace to overheat. It could also cause carbon monoxide to flow back into your home, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.
However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that generally will stop these situations from happening. Families with small children will often find their kids have stuffed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in an area that can be reached by tiny hands. Even this little amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system triggers the pressure switch, which shuts down the burners. If this is the underlying cause of your problem, you will experience short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was triggered.
An Expert HVAC technician from Winnipeg Supply Service Experts can check the codes for you and determine the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can interpret the error codes furnace manufacturers produce, so you will still need a pro to assist you.
Let the Experts Solve Your Short Cycling Furnace
If you receive the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Winnipeg Supply Service Experts, our Experts have the expertise to resolve any furnace problem quickly and affordably. What’s even better is that we back our repairs with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.* To request your appointment, contact us at 204-800-0613 or schedule online.
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
