HVAC question

[xkisses]

I'm not sure if there is another active community I can ask, but maybe you all can help

Comments

[khemlab]

My wild guess is it might be some kind of energy-saving feature - where it kicks on the actual heat for only a few minutes, lets it circulate with the blower and then if the thermostat isn't satisfied, kicks the heat back on.

[xkisses]

Hm. That makes sense, but I'm fairly certain it didn't do that last winter. I'll check with the manufacturer and see if that's a feature. Thanks.

[thesparklegirl]

Mine does this. I thought it was normal.

[xkisses]

I wouldn't question it, but it used to just heat continually until the house reached the desired temp, then turn off until it dropped a couple degrees again.

[xkisses]

Update - our filter was dirty. It wasn't letting enough air into the heater, and it was overheating and would shut off for a few moments until it cooled enough to fire back up again. Check your filter. :) The guy said you should hold it up to a light and see how much light comes though - it should come through cleanly and you should change your filter 1x/month.

[rhopalocera]

My furnace (of indeterminate age) has been doing this, too. I've never noticed it before this winter and have just been assuming that it's because it's been way colder than it's ever been since I've lived in this house. I'll be watching this thread to see if it's something I should be concerned about. Sorry I couldn't be more help than just, "Hey. Me too." :)

[revchris]

It could be short cycling, which usually happens when there are overheating issues in the system.

Common causes for that are partially blocked ductwork or vents due to dirt buildup or other obstructions or clogged filters.

Have you checked the filter in your furnace? Generally they should be changes at the beginning of heating season and the beginning of cooling season, but sometimes as often as monthly, depending on conditions (dust, pet hair, etc.) or filter type.

Other causes for short cycling can be thermostat problems or internal burner problems in the furnace.

I would suggest calling several local heating companies that handle Rheem furnaces and describing the problem to them. They'll be able to tell you if it is normal for your furnace in the weather you are having, and if it isn't, you'll be able to get estimates for the checkup and probably service to get it fixed before it causes your furnace to fail completely.

[xkisses]

Okay, that might be it. I first changed the filter after a year, and only because it had been a year, not because it needed it. It was still very clean when I changed it. Since then, I have gotten a dog, and it hasn't been changed in probably 8 months, so I'll check that. Thank you.

[jodys_wife]

Check the dampers too if you have any!

[xkisses]

Bingo - it was a dirty filter. Thanks.

[hikerpoet]

Agreed with the last commenter--ours was behaving like that recently and it did turn out to just be the thermostat--nice because that is FAR cheaper than a furnace (well, free, actually, because there are mucho rebates for them).