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

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

The Google Nest has a feature called Furnace Heads Up, which will alert you if it detects an issue 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 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 get the message “Nest noticed that your furnace shuts down within 15 minutes of heating,” that means your furnace is short cycling. Short cycling is when the furnace switches on for a brief 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 susceptible to breaking down and may even need to be replaced sooner. 

Without Furnace Heads Up, you might not notice your furnace is turning on and off frequently, since its blower fan might keep running. This feature can pick up on power interruptions that happen during short cycling. 

How Do I Keep My Furnace from Short Cycling? 

There are a few easy ways you can prevent your furnace from short cycling. 

Replace Your Air Filter Regularly 

If your air filter is too dirty, it will restrict airflow. Your furnace will then shut down early to avoid overheating. We recommend replacing flat filters every month, and pleated filters every three months. It’s simple to stay on top of replacing your filter by adding a Filter Reminder on your thermostat. 

If you’ve replaced 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 select “settings” and then “equipment.” 
  • The thermostat will display the wires connected to it. Choose “continue.” 
  • You’ll see system components shown. Hit “test.” 
  • Select “Furnace Heads Up” and follow the instructions. Your furnace will run a 15-minute heating test and tell 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 wrong that needs professional assistance. If this happens, contact Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing at 866-397-3787 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 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 turn 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 warm enough, the gas will turn on and the burners will ignite. 
  • If the flame sensor can’t sense a flame, it’s usually because it’s dirty or faulty. Your furnace will then turn off as a safety measure. 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 combination 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 task is best left to an Expert. That’s because an HVAC professional like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 vents combustion gases outside 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 clogged, it can result in your furnace overheating. It could also result in carbon monoxide flowing back into your home, creating a potentially fatal situation. 

However, modern furnaces have a pressure switch that typically will stop these situations from happening. Families with small children will often find their kids have stuffed toy cars, sticks or nuts into the exhaust if it’s in a location that can be reached by tiny hands. Even this little amount is enough to trigger 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 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can check the codes for you and determine the problem. Unfortunately, Nest has not developed to the point where it can read the error codes furnace manufacturers create, so you will still need a pro to assist you. 

Let the Experts Solve 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, our Experts have the knowledge to fix 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 request your appointment, call us at 866-397-3787 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.