One of the most common questions we get as HVAC technicians in Southlake, Texas, involves healthy furnace cycling. How many hours should a furnace run in winter? Is the furnace operation optimal if it’s kicking on and off frequently?

These are important questions for homeowners who want to save money on energy bills and avert early furnace replacements. Below, our professionals cover furnace runtime and common problems like short cycling. You may also contact Minuteman Heating & Air for solutions from our skilled HVAC technicians in Southlake, TX.

How Long Should a Furnace Run in the Winter? Southlake Heating Professionals Say 15 to 20 Minutes

When your furnace turns on, it will run until it reaches the desired temperature. At that point, the unit will turn off again. Heating experts call this period between turning on and off cycling, and it usually happens about once every 15 to 20 minutes (that’s about three times an hour). 

When it is colder outside, your furnace may have to cycle more frequently to maintain interior comfort. However, if your furnace frequently shuts on and off, it is a major concern. 

So, how many hours should a furnace run in Southlake during winter? It will differ depending on everyone’s heating demands, unit model, and temperature preferences. However, all other things being equal, you can expect your furnace to run for several hours a day when Southlake’s outdoor temperatures are at their coldest.

Southlake and the rest of Eastern Texas have relatively mild winters, so most people’s furnaces will only need to run for about three to four hours a day in total. 

What Causes Furnace Short Cycling?

If your furnace turns on and then rapidly turns off after a few seconds or minutes, it’s short cycling. This short cycling can be bad for your system because it puts unnecessary strain on the system’s components. Constantly turning on and off hurts furnace efficiency, too, as it ends up using more energy than just keeping the furnace on for a while. 

Furnace short cycling can point to several distinct issues, such as:

• Furnace is too big. If your furnace is too large for your home, it will get too hot too quickly and automatically shut down for safety reasons. It’s inefficient and will prematurely damage your system. 
• Dirty flame sensor. The flame sensor on a gas furnace checks ignition. If it thinks the flame isn’t lit, it will shut off the furnace to stop the flow of gas as a safety precaution. With a damaged sensor, your furnace will short cycle without heating properly or at all.
• Igniter issues. The problem with your gas furnace could also be the furnace igniter not producing a spark big enough to ignite the gas. The furnace won’t turn on. 
• Fan limiter. Your furnace also has a device called a fan limiter, which shuts things down when the unit gets too hot. If the fan limiter is broken, it will send the signal to shutdown too early, causing short cycling. 
• Thermostat problems. Your furnace can also start short cycling due to thermostat issues. Normally, the thermostat detects the temperature and adjusts things. If the thermostat is broken, it will incorrectly read the temperature and shut off at the wrong time. 
• Electrical issues. Your furnace will also shut off quicker than normal with electrical issues. For example, your furnace may have a damaged control board or furnace breaker. 

How many hours should a furnace run in winter? Good winter preparation might help you ensure that it is running for an optimal time in your home in Southlake, Texas.

How To Prepare Your Furnace for the Winter

Below is a handy guide for preparing your furnace for the winter to avoid runtime issues. 

• Change filters in the early fall. Dust is at its height in summer. If you haven’t changed the furnace filters since then, guaranteed air-quality issues will follow. 
• Upgrade insulation. The insulation levels in your Southlake home affect how much heat it retains, which determines furnace cycle durations. New insulation may help prevent heat loss so that the furnace cycles can stabilize.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Did you know that programmable thermostats can learn your preferences from previous trends and data? Installing one will finetune your home’s thermostat settings and maximize energy efficiency. 

A professional furnace inspection also ensures everything is optimal before the winter.