Solved: Nest Noticed Your Furnace Shuts Down Within 15 Minutes of Heating 

Using a smart thermostat isn’t just wise for saving on heating expenses. It can also alert you if there’s an issue 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 warning on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.

One of the most common issues is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s why this is happening 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 switches off. This HVAC game of red light, green light prevents your home from being warm and can increase your energy bill. It can also increase deterioration on your furnace. It may also be more likely to break down and may even require replacement sooner.

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not detect your furnace is turning on and off frequently, since its blower fan might keep going. This feature can recognize power interruptions that take place during short cycling.

How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling?

There are a few easy ways you can prevent your furnace from short cycling.

Replace Your Air Filter Often

If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut off prematurely to avoid overheating. We encourage changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of changing your filter by setting up a Filter Reminder on your thermostat.

If you’ve changed your filter after getting a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can run a test to see if that fixes the problem.

• • Press the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll choose “settings” and then “equipment.”

• • The thermostat will show the wires connected to it. Select “continue.”

• • You’ll see system components displayed. Select “test.”

• • Choose “Furnace Heads Up” and follow the instructions. Your furnace will go through a 15-minute heating test and tell you the results when it’s done.

Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t clear the test, something else could be awry that needs professional help. If this happens, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 866-397-3787 for furnace repair.

Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor

Having a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor is another top reason why your furnace is short cycling. You can determine if there’s a problem by paying attention to your furnace as it starts up. Here’s what to look for.

• • Remove 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 switch on the heat, the fan will begin running first. You should hear it turn on.

• • The ignitor will begin 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 light.

• • 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 measure. If your furnace is short cycling, you’ll notice the flame and fan shutting down after a couple of seconds.

If you’re questioning how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire constantly, a blend of moisture and chemicals in the air form a thin coating of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will end the short cycling issue. This job is best left to an Expert. That’s because an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 vents combustion gases outside through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get clogged by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s always clear. If the pipe gets plugged, it can cause your furnace to overheat. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially deadly situation.

However, modern furnaces are equipped with a pressure switch that generally will stop these situations from occurring. Households with small children will often find their kids have stuffed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in a location that can be reached by little hands. Even this small amount is enough to trigger the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system trips the pressure switch, which shuts off the burners. If this is the root of your problem, you will encounter short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was tripped.

An Expert HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can check the codes for you and determine the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not evolved to the point where it can read 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 get the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Experts have the knowledge to fix 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, call us at 866-397-3787 or schedule online.

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*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.