During the winter season there may be days where you adjust the temperature on your thermostat a bit, but for most homeowners, completely turning your furnace off during the winter is something that just isn’t going to happen. Though you may not be manually turning your furnace off during the day it should be noted that your furnace will cycle through periods of activity and downtime throughout the day. If you are listening closely, you will likely hear when your furnace starts up and turns off during the day.
If you are looking to ensure that your furnace is operating efficiently you may be wondering, how many hours does a furnace run per day? At EVAM Canada, we are passionate about helping you feel safe and comfortable in your home, but we want to help you learn more about your furnace too. In this article, we help you understand how often your furnace should be running and help you know when there may be an issue with your furnace. Don’t forget to check out our DIY Furnace Maintenance Guide for helpful tips to keep your furnace running optimally all season long. You can also learn about any existing government rebates for furnaces and check out our new heat pump installation services.
How Long Should Your Furnace Run Per Day?
Did you know that your furnace isn’t actually producing heat 24/7? Though you may have your furnace set to a desired temperature, it doesn’t actually have to run constantly for that temperature to be maintained. Rather than running constantly, your furnace operates in cycles allowing it to heat your home without constantly being “on.” Generally speaking, your furnace will only be actively producing heat for up to 9 hours a day over multiple cycles. If you are not noticing that your furnace is shutting off regularly or are noticing very short or very long cycles it may be an indication that there is something going wrong with your furnace, or it may not be set to operate efficiently on your thermostat.
Our blog post, How Can I Know That My Furnace Is Efficient offers insight into what an efficient furnace operates like and how you can spot if your furnace may be running less-than optimally.
How Long Are Furnace Cycles?
When you want to know how long should a furnace run before shutting off, you’re going to want to learn about your furnace’s cycles. Most furnace cycles last between 10-15 minutes and in many cases, a furnace will cycle 2-3x/per hour to maintain the desired temperature within a home. So, how long should a furnace run in an hour? In most cases, a furnace will run anywhere between 20-45 minutes in an hour.
How Long Should a Furnace Run in Cold Weather?
When the weather outside is very cold, your home will lose its heat faster. This means that your furnace will likely need to complete more cycles in an hour than on days that are less cold. It would be normal for your furnace to run through three cycles an hour on the coldest days of the year. If you think your furnace is running too frequently in cold weather or are noticing it is not holding your desired temperature, check your thermostat. Switching it to auto may be more appropriate for milder winter days while setting it to “on” can ensure the fan stays running, helping to circulate warm air throughout the home more efficiently and improving the quality of air in your home.
How Can I Keep My Furnace Running Efficiently?
If you want to be sure that your furnace is running as efficiently as possible all season long, the best thing you can do is to maintain it. Changing your furnace filter regularly is a good first step towards keeping your furnace running all seasons long. Our Ultimate Furnace Filter Guide provides answers to all of your questions about furnace filters to help you keep your furnace healthy.
Stay up to date on maintenance – One of the best ways to ensure that your furnace is running efficiently is to stay on top of your regular furnace maintenance. If you haven’t serviced your furnace in some time, then it is a great idea to call a technician to help with maintenance and check up on your furnaces health. At EVAM Canada we also make it easy for you by providing you with our complete furnace maintenance checklist.
Turn down the heat – A simple way to save money on your heating bills is to turn down the heat. When you lower your thermostat setting to even one degree lower you decrease the demand place on your furnace. This will allow your furnace to run in shorter cycles and heat your home more efficiently. This tip also applies in the summer.
Use a programmable thermostat – Programmable thermostats can help you with setting your thermostat lower while you are away or higher when you are home. There is no need to overheat a home that no one is occupying. Consider using settings to help you cut down on costs.
Upgrade to a newer furnace – If your furnace was is older than 10-15 years old it is likely time for a new one. For both safety and efficiency reasons it is a good idea to replace your furnace when it gets too old. We have a variety of options available to you. Let EVAM Canada help you
with your new furnace installation.
Do you think your furnace may be cycling for too long or are you finding that it is having difficulty maintaining your desired temperature? Contact the experts at EVAM Canada today. We offer emergency furnace repair services and would be pleased to assist you in keeping your home warm and cozy all winter long.
