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

Having a smart thermostat isn’t just smart for saving on heating costs. It can also let you know if there’s an issue with your furnace.

The Google Nest is equipped with a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it notices 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 common 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 switches off. This HVAC game of red light, green light prevents your home from heating up and can increase your energy bill. It can also increase wear and tear on your furnace. It may also be more susceptible to breaking down and may even need to be replaced more quickly.

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off often, 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 Regularly

If your air filter is too dirty, it will limit airflow. Your furnace will then shut down prematurely to prevent overheating. We recommend 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 changed your filter after getting a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can run a test to see if that repairs the problem.

• • Push the ring to pull up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select “settings” and then “equipment.”

• • The thermostat will display the wires linked to it. Select “continue.”

• • You’ll see system components shown. Hit “test.”

• • Choose “Furnace Heads Up” and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run 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 wrong 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 bad flame sensor is another top reason 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 check 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 warmer 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 depends on the furnace model.

• • Once the ignitor is hot enough, the gas will switch on and the burners will light.

• • If the flame sensor can’t detect a flame, it’s usually because it’s dirty or defective. 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 constantly, a combination 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 task 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 you need a new one.

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 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 fatal situation.

However, modern furnaces are equipped with a pressure switch that typically will prevent 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 an area that can be reached by tiny hands. Even this small amount is enough to trigger the pressure switch. The irregular 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 experience short cycling and a furnace error code specifying the pressure switch was triggered.

An Expert HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can look up 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 require a pro to assist you.

Let the Experts Handle 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Experts have the knowledge to resolve any furnace problem quickly and affordably. What’s even better is that we stand behind our repairs with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.* To book your appointment, contact 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.