How often should my furnace run during the winter?

Your furnace is put to the test during the winter.The system suddenly works overtime after being inactive for months.Clicking on too frequently may indicate a problem.

People often ask, "How often should my furnace cycle?"There is an answer in a gray area.On average, the furnace should start and stop three to eight times per hour.Don't assume the furnace is short cycling just yet if your furnace turns on and off more frequently.

There are several variables that affect the number of times your furnace runs.Your home's insulation, characteristics of the house, outdoor air temperatures, and even the age of your furnace may all play a role.Frequent cycling may indicate an issue with the system.

A bigger furnace is not always better.The result of an oversized system is furnace short cycling.Wouldn't a bigger furnace heat a home better?The answer is no.

An oversized heater won't evenly distribute the air in a smaller home.The system will keep the temperatures the same.Which size is the best?Depending on your home's insulation and local climate, Energy.govLink recommends 12,000 BTU per 400 to 500 square feet.

If it's cold outside, your furnace could be on fire.It's a leading cause of furnace short cycling.What causes overheating?In a lot of cases, restricted air is the culprit.A blocked duct can stop air from leaving the system.

How old is your furnace?The furnace will cycle on and off more frequently as the system gets older.The average lifespan of a furnace is 15 to 20 years.It may not be as efficient at the end of its life.Short cycling is an indicator that it is time to buy a newer model.

The furnace has a thermostat.Your furnace won't know when to stop running if the thermostat breaks.The location of the thermostat also plays a role.If you want to keep your furnace from cycling too often, make sure the thermostat isn't too close to a heat source.

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