Understanding How Furnaces Cycle During Winter
Winter is on its way here in southern Kentucky. Even though we don’t typically suffer from bitterly cold temperatures, this is still when we naturally rely heavily on heating systems to keep our homes nice and cozy.
Here, at Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing, we know furnaces inside and out. Although we provide maintenance and repairs year-round, this is definitely the time of year when we get a flurry of service requests. More than a few property managers and homeowners come to us concerned about whether their furnace cycling is normal or not. And that’s definitely something you need to pay attention to, as furnace-cycle duration can clue you into something wrong with the system. Especially at the cusp of winter, you want to head off potential furnace problems at the pass to minimize the odds of an inconvenient and uncomfortable breakdown.
Typical Furnace Cycle
A number of factors influence how long your furnace runs and the length of time in between runs. They include factors such as your house’s layout, its insulation, and, of course, the outside temperature.
Generally speaking, in moderate winter weather, you might expect your furnace to run a few times an hour, with each cycle lasting 10 to 15 minutes. The intervals in between are often of comparable duration.
When it gets significantly cold outside, your furnace is likely to kick in more frequently and for longer periods. A 20-minute or longer active heating cycle is typical in these conditions.
Short and Long Furnace Cycling
A common issue with many home furnaces is the “short cycle.” Short-cycling manifests as frequent periods of brief heating. This isn’t normal, and it can strain furnace components such as the blower, heat exchanger, and limit switch.
You might, alternatively, find that your furnace is running for excessively long stretches. Here again, this often indicates something wrong in the system, and you’ll want to zero in on what’s going on.
The following are common reasons why a furnace may be short- or long-cycling.
Wrong Size Furnace
Short- or long-cycling may point to a mismatch between your furnace capacity and the size of your home. Lots of elements, from the local climate to your home’s insulation and the efficiency of a particular furnace unit, affect this determination. Proper sizing of an HVAC system involves calculating heating and cooling loads, and is one reason why you want to go with the team here at Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing. An oversized furnace is liable to short-cycle, while an undersized one is prone to overlong cycling.
Poorly Sited or Failing Thermostat
Sometimes the culprit behind an off-cycling furnace is the thermostat. If the thermostat’s improperly situated, it may signal the furnace too frequently or too sparingly to efficiently keep your home heated. The same goes for a thermostat that may be failing and require replacement.
Dirty Filter
Among the most common causes of a short-cycling furnace, and one of the easiest to remedy, is a dirty or clogged filter. The restricted airflow can lead to overheating and premature shut-offs. Regularly replacing or cleaning your furnace filter is something that you should do.
Blocked or Damaged Ducts
Ducts that are clogged, constricted, or damaged will also throw off airflow and potentially cause a furnace cycle to go haywire. Regular inspections of your ductwork can help avoid this issue.
Other Faulty Components
A malfunctioning or failing blower motor may also throw off your furnace cycle. Cycling can also be affected by problems with other furnace components, such as the gas control, sensors, or limit switch.
Insulation Issues & Air Leaks
Sometimes short- or long-cycling doesn’t suggest a problem with your heating system itself. It could be inadequate insulation or air leaks from poorly-sealed windows and doors.
Age & Efficiency of Furnace
Many units can last 20 or 25 years without serious issues. But can certainly be prone to inefficient cycling. Meanwhile, a modern high-efficiency furnace may run (normally) longer than a lower-efficiency counterpart.
Somerset, KY Furnace Tune-Ups & Repairs
Abnormal furnace cycles ought to be checked out by a licensed professional. The ultimate causes can be easy to miss, and the remedies frequently require technical expertise. From evaluating the blower or gas-control sensor to thoroughly inspecting ductwork, you can trust the expert technicians at Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing
Reach out to Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing when you need furnace service for your home in Somerset, KY.
