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

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

The Google Nest is equipped with a feature called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it senses an issue with your heating system. You’ll notice the alert on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.

One of the most typical problems is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s what's doing on and how you can fix it.

Your Furnace is Short Cycling

When you see 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 switches on for a short period of time then turns off. This HVAC game of red light, green light prevents your home from being warm and can drive up 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 sooner.

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not detect your furnace is turning on and off often, 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 simple ways you can keep your furnace from short cycling.

Change Your Air Filter Often

If your air filter is too dirty, it will limit airflow. Your furnace will then shut down early to avoid overheating. We recommend replacing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of replacing your filter by adding 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 repairs the problem.

Push the ring to pull up the Quick View menu, where you’ll select "settings" and then "equipment."
The thermostat will show the wires linked to it. Select "continue."
You’ll see system components displayed. Select "test."
Choose "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run a 15-minute heating check and give you the results when it’s finished.

Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t pass the test, something else could be awry that requires professional help. If this happens, call Midway Services at 727-219-2471 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 watching 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 need to remove the door for this.
Turn on the furnace by setting the thermostat to a warmer indoor temperature.
When you turn on the heat, the fan will turn on first. You should notice it turn on.
The ignitor will start 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 warm enough, the gas will switch on and the burners will light.
If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually because it’s dirty or defective. Your furnace will then turn off as a safety measure. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll observe 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 layer of carbon on the surface. Cleaning a dirty flame sensor will stop the short cycling issue. This job is best left to an Expert. That's due to the fact an HVAC professional like Midway Services will be able to clean it without breaking it or be able to tell you if you need a new one.

Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Often

Your high-efficiency furnace vents 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 prevent these situations from happening. Households with young children will often find their kids have stuffed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in a location that's accessible by little hands. Even this little amount is enough to trigger the pressure switch. The irregular 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 encounter short cycling and a furnace error code specifying the pressure switch was tripped.

An Expert HVAC technician from Midway Services can check the codes for you and diagnose 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 help you out.

Let the Experts Handle 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 Midway Services, our Experts have the expertise 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 request your appointment, contact us at 727-219-2471 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.