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

Having a smart thermostat isn’t just smart for spending less on heating costs. It can also alert you if there’s a problem with your furnace.

The Google Nest is equipped with a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it senses a problem 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 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 stops 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 require replacement more quickly.

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off frequently, because its blower fan might keep going. This feature can detect power interruptions that happen 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 Often

If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut off early to prevent overheating. We recommend changing flat filters every month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of changing 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.

Press the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll choose "settings" and then "equipment."
The thermostat will display the wires linked to it. Select "continue."
You’ll see system components displayed. Select "test."
Select "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will go through a 15-minute heating test and give 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 requires professional assistance. If this happens, call Donelson Air Service Experts at 615-953-9885 for furnace repair.

Clean or Replace Your Furnace’s Flame Sensor

Having a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor is another top explanation why your furnace is short cycling. You can determine if there’s a problem by watching your furnace as it turns on. 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 warmer indoor temperature.
When you switch on the heat, the fan will begin running 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 hot enough, the gas will turn on and the burners will ignite.
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 turn off as a safety precaution. If your furnace is short cycling, you'll notice the flame and fan shutting down after a few seconds.

If you’re wondering 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 problem. This job is best left to an Expert. That's due to the fact an HVAC professional like Donelson Air Service Experts will be able to clean it without breaking it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.

Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Frequently

Your high-efficiency furnace exhausts combustion gases outside through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get blocked by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to make sure it’s always clear. If the pipe gets clogged, it can result in your furnace overheating. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially life-threatening situation.

However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that generally will stop these situations from occurring. Families with young children will often find their kids have jammed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in an area that's accessible by little hands. Even this small amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system triggers the pressure switch, which shuts off the burners. If this is the underlying cause of your problem, you will experience short cycling and a furnace error code indicating the pressure switch was tripped.

An Expert HVAC technician from Donelson Air Service Experts can look up the codes for you and determine the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not evolved to the point where it can interpret 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 get the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Donelson Air Service Experts, our Experts have the knowledge to resolve 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 book your appointment, contact us at 615-953-9885 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.