Day & Night Thermostat or Sizing-Related Short Cycling

Furnace cycles on and off very quickly (every 1–5 minutes) without reaching thermostat setpoint.

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Possible Causes

Oversized furnace, thermostat located near supply register, incorrect thermostat anticipator or cycle rate setting, poor airflow

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Turn off power before removing thermostat cover.

  • Thermostat location: Ensure the thermostat is not directly above a supply register or in direct sunlight.
  • Adjust cycle rate: On programmable thermostats, set the heating cycle rate to the recommended setting for gas furnaces (often 3–5 cycles per hour).
  • Airflow checks: Replace filter and open registers to reduce overheating-related cycling.

If the furnace is significantly oversized, only a system redesign can fully correct short cycling.

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Repair Difficulty

Easy 2/5
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