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

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

The Google Nest is equipped with a function called Furnace Heads Up, which will let you know if it notices an issue with your heating system. You’ll see 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.

Your Furnace is Short Cycling

When you get 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 switches off. This HVAC game of red light, green light stops your home from heating up and can increase your energy bill. It can also increase wear and tear on your furnace. It may also be more likely to break down and may even need to be replaced more quickly.

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off often, since its blower fan might keep running. This feature can detect 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 restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut down early to avoid overheating. We encourage changing flat filters every 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 changed your filter after receiving a Furnace Heads Up alert, you can do 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 connected to it. Choose "continue."
You’ll see system components displayed. Hit "test."
Choose "Furnace Heads Up" and follow the instructions. Your furnace will go through a 15-minute heating test and tell 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, contact Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning at 925-364-5427 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 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 see the burners. If you have a viewport in the furnace door, you may not have 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 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 detect 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 observe the flame and fan shutting off after a few seconds.

If you’re questioning how flame sensors could get dirty being bathed in fire continuously, 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 issue. This task is best left to an Expert. That's due to the fact an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning will be able to clean it without damaging it or be able to tell you if you need a new one.

Check Your Furnace’s Exhaust Pipe Often

Your high-efficiency furnace exhausts combustion gases outside through a PVC pipe. This pipe can get obstructed 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 typically will stop these situations from happening. Households 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 can be reached by tiny hands. Even this small amount is enough to trip the pressure switch. The uneven flow of air into and out of the system trips the pressure switch, which shuts down 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 triggered.

An Expert HVAC technician from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can look up the codes for you and diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can interpret the error codes furnace manufacturers create, so you will still need a pro to help you out.

Let the Experts Handle Your Short Cycling Furnace

If you receive the message, “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” you know what to do. At Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, 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 request your appointment, call us at 925-364-5427 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.