A Coastal Phenomenon: Why Your Furnace Is “Short Cycling” in the Wind

When the wind starts blowing, it’s common for furnaces to turn on and off rapidly. While this type of short cycling is sometimes harmless, it can also mean that you need to schedule furnace repairs in Bandon. By reaching out to Alpha Heating & Air, you can ensure your home stays warm and comfortable all winter.

What “Short Cycling” Means and Why It Matters

Short cycling is when your furnace frequently starts and stops. This can cause a significant comfort swing. Eventually, it can lead to higher wear and more expensive repairs.

A furnace short cycling in the wind isn’t just a matter of comfort and energy efficiency. It can also be a major safety hazard, depending on the underlying cause. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger and overheating units can result in dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.

Important Safety Note: If you are dealing with a CO safety shutdown, evacuate your home immediately and call 911 if anyone feels sick.

Why Wind Can Cause Short Cycling in Coastal Bandon

Along the Oregon coast, winter storms and strong winds are the norm between late fall and early spring. High, gusty winds combine with the open water to create major air pressure differences around buildings. This leads to unstable pressure around vent terminations, such as your sidewall venting.

Because of this high wind and furnace venting problem, your furnace may experience significant shifts between over- and under-pressurization. Furnaces need mild, negative pressure to function properly, so this type of constant pressure fluctuation can interfere with a stable draft.

The Pressure Switch Connection

Because the draft isn’t stable, you may experience furnace short cycling in Bandon, OR. High-efficiency furnaces have a pressure switch that confirms the inducer is making a proper draft. The furnace pressure switch tripping is a safety feature that prevents unsafe burner operation if there is a problem with your venting.

Gusts of wind interfere with the signal by creating turbulence and backpressure at the intake and exhaust. This causes the switch to briefly open, triggering the burners to shut down. Even if you have a direct-vent or sealed-combustion system, wind can still cause unexpected furnace shutdowns.

What You’ll Notice During Wind-Related Short Cycling

If the inducer motor pressure switch is triggered and your furnace short cycles, you’ll likely notice a few common symptoms.

• The furnace short cycles every few minutes.
• Your home feels cold, even though the furnace keeps turning on.
• Your inducer may ramp up repeatedly.
• You may experience a furnace lockout, forcing you to reset the furnace.

What’s Normal vs. What’s a Problem

When it comes to your furnace exhaust intake and wind interference, it’s sometimes impossible to avoid short cycling entirely. Normal short cycling involves a single interruption during a major gust, followed by complete stabilization.

You may need to schedule furnace repair in Bandon if any of the following are true.

• Your home can’t maintain its temperature.
• It keeps cycling repeatedly for 15 to 30 minutes.
• You can visibly see ice or debris blocking the outside terminations.
• There are any signs of a pressure switch or venting-related problem.
• You smell an unusual odor.
• The furnace is making an odd sound, or an alarm is going off.

Safe DIY Checks Homeowners Can Do in 5 Minutes

If your furnace runs but won’t stay on, there are a few safety checks you can perform to try to fix the problem.

• Replace the Furnace Filter: If a filter is dirty, it can cause overheating. This can cause the furnace to shut down and appear to short cycle.
• Check Supply Vents: The supply vents and returns should be open and unblocked.
• Set the Thermostat: Your thermostat should be set to heat mode. The setpoint should be a few degrees above the room temperature.
• Inspect Your Outdoor Areas: To troubleshoot, look for obvious nests, leaves, storm debris, and other blockages at your vent terminations.

For your personal safety and the safety of your furnace, never remove panels or tamper with safety switches. Additionally, do not climb ladders during stormy weather.

Other Common Causes That Can Mimic “Wind Short Cycling”

While we’ve mentioned the most common wind-related reasons why you might experience a furnace turning on and off in Bandon, there are other potential reasons why this may happen as well.

• Overheating from airflow issues, such as closed vents, dirty filters, and blower problems
• Flame sensor issues
• Oversized equipment
• Problems with the venting design
• Intermittent issues with the furnace’s inducer motor

What We Check During a Pressure Safety Check

When you reach out to our team for furnace troubleshooting and repairs, one of our HVAC technicians will perform the following important steps to protect the safety of your family, home, and furnace.

• Verify that the inducer is operating correctly.
• Ensure proper draft pressure.
• Confirm the pressure switch is performing well under its operating conditions.
• Inspect the intake and exhaust terminations.
• Evaluate the venting layout for wind vulnerability.
• Check for blockages, corrosion, and drainage issues with the condensate drain line.
• Confirm safe ignition and stable combustion.

Once we’ve fully evaluated your system, we can recommend the best course of action. For example, we may recommend corrections to your venting, termination adjustments, or component replacements.

From furnace error code pressure switch issues to short cycling, give our team a call as soon as you notice signs of a problem. Through early diagnosis and repairs, you can prevent problems from escalating and avoid more costly repairs.

When To Call a Professional

If you’re dealing with any of the following situations, it’s essential to reach out for professional help.

• Your furnace won’t stay on during wind events.
• The furnace keeps cycling on and off.
• There are safety concerns involved.
• You keep receiving a persistent error code.
• You want to be confident that the furnace is in working order before the next storm arrives.

Schedule Your Furnace Repairs Today

Our experienced HVAC experts are homeowners’ trusted source of furnace repairs in Bandon. Book a pressure safety check so we can verify draft pressure, venting, and safe furnace operation during windy conditions.