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

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

The Google Nest has a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will let you know if it notices a problem with your heating system. You’ll notice the warning on the thermostat, in the app and in your monthly Nest Home report.

One of the most common issues is: “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating.” Here’s why this is happening and how you can correct it.

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 turns on for a short period of time then turns 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 deterioration on your furnace. It may also be more likely to break 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 running. This feature can detect power interruptions that occur during short cycling.

There are a few simple ways you can keep your furnace from short cycling.

If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut down prematurely to avoid overheating. We recommend changing flat filters once a month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s easy to stay on top of replacing 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 do a test to see if that fixes the problem.

• Push the ring to bring up the Quick View menu, where you’ll choose “settings” and then “equipment.”
• The thermostat will show 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 check and tell you the results when it’s finished.

Google says if the filter is clean or if your furnace didn’t clear the test, something else could be awry that needs professional assistance. If this happens, call Mr. Heating and Cooling LLC at 540-533-0332 for furnace repair.

Having a dirty or malfunctioning flame sensor is another top reason why your furnace is short cycling. You can tell if there’s a problem by paying attention to your furnace as it starts up. Here’s what to look for.

• Take off 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 higher indoor temperature.
• When you switch on the heat, the fan will turn on first. You should notice it turn on.
• The ignitor will begin to glow. The ignitor is either on the left or right of the burners, but it varies according to the furnace model.
• Once the ignitor is hot enough, the gas will switch on and the burners will ignite.
• If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually because 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 couple of 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 coating 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 Mr. Heating and Cooling LLC will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if it needs to be replaced.

Your high-efficiency furnace vents combustion gases outdoors through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get blocked by snow or bird nests, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s always clear. If the pipe gets blocked, it can cause your furnace to overheat. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially deadly situation.

However, modern furnaces are equipped with a pressure switch that generally will prevent these situations from occurring. 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 small amount is enough to trigger the pressure switch. The uneven 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 indicating the pressure switch was triggered.

An Expert HVAC technician from Mr. Heating and Cooling LLC can look up the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not evolved to the point where it can interpret the error codes furnace manufacturers create, so you will still need a pro to help you out.

If you receive the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Mr. Heating and Cooling LLC, 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 (304) 490-5555