Problem:

Homeowner Question: Why is my heating and/or cooling system turning on and off more often (short cycling) after my insulation was upgraded?

Diagnosing Problem Areas - Short-cycling Explanation

Cause: Why is this happening?

Now that the home is more airtight your house requires less heat to keep it warm. Since the heating system is still the same size it brings the house temperature up faster, which means it will run for a shorter period of time. This often leads to the system turning on and off more frequently. This is called short-cycling . If the changes made to the house are significant, and the heat loss is far less than before, short-cycling of heating systems can cause them to operate less efficiently and therefore cost more. This can also cause the equipment to wear out sooner.

Solution: System Sizing

• Your heating and/or cooling system may now be over-sized and may need to be adjusted or replaced with a more appropriately sized unit

• Consult a heating/cooling specialist to determine the best course of action