Furnaces work hard during our unruly Amarillo winters. The combination of high winds and temperature swings kicks furnaces, especially older ones, into overdrive. But if you’ve been left wondering the answer to the question of how long should my furnace run, you’re not alone. Understanding what is typical for your specific furnace type in Amarillo winters will help you catch problems before they become expensive repairs. Read on to learn what is normal, and when to call a professional heating technician from Frank’s Repair Plumbing.
Key Takeaways
- Most furnaces cycle between three to eight times an hour, and this is dependent on outdoor temperature, home insulation quality, and furnace type.
- Two-stage furnaces cycle less than single-stage models.
- A typical cycle lasts 10 to 15 minutes, and anything shorter or longer means you have a problem.
- High winter winds in Amarillo can cause a furnace to cycle more frequently and increase wear and tear.
- Call Frank’s if you notice short or long cycling, unusual noises, or a rising heating bill.
What Is a Normal Furnace Cycle?
A furnace’s cycle refers to the amount of time for it to turn on, heat your home to your thermostat’s set temperature, and turn off until the temperature drops again.
Natural gas furnaces are the most common in Amarillo, and cycle expectations vary between single and two-stage types: single stage and two stage.
Single-stage furnaces are common in Amarillo homes, especially those built before 2010, and operate at full capacity every time they turn on, usually two to three times an hour. During cold snaps (15-30°F), cycling increases to six to eight times per hour as the furnace works harder to maintain heating.
Two-stage furnaces are a bit more advanced with high and low heating modes. These models run on low stage (60-70% capacity) most of the time, only switching to high stage during extremely cold weather. During typical winter conditions, they will cycle two to four times an hour, and four to six times during periods of extreme cold.
How Amarillo’s Winter Weather Impacts Furnace Cycling
Amarillo’s location in the Texas Panhandle creates unique heating challenges that directly affect how often your furnace cycles and when it kicks on.
Temperature swings
Amarillo winters are known for their dramatic temperature changes. A day can start moderately at 55°F and quickly change to 15°F at night. This drop causes your furnaces to work hard to catch up with the sudden heat loss. So, how often should the heat kick on? During these times of intense cold, it’s normal to notice your furnace cycling between eight to 10 times an hour.
High winds
With Amarillo winters come periods of intense winds. Tiny gaps around windows, doors, and other openings contribute to heat loss. This causes your furnace to cycle more frequently to make up for that loss in heat.
Older Amarillo homes
Older homes built around the 70s or 90s often lack modern insulation and have poor ductwork, increasing furnace cycle lengths. Many homes in Amarillo, Canyon, and Bushland also have older ductwork, which increases run times due to rapid heat loss.
How Long Should My Furnace Stay Off Between Cycles?
So, how long should a furnace stay off between cycles in winter? A typical furnace during normal winter conditions (30s or 40s) should stay off for eight to 12 minutes between cycles. If the weather is milder, expect longer rest periods.
When the temperature drops significantly during periods of intense cold, the rest period between cycles shortens from three to five minutes. Your furnace may also run continuously with minimal rest between cycles, and if the weather outside is severe, this is normal.
If your furnace rests for only two to three minutes between cycles during moderate winter weather, or if it cycles on and off every few minutes regardless of the outdoor temperature, your system is experiencing short cycling. One fix could be cleaning the bower motor.
Signs Your Furnace Is Short-Cycling
Short cycling happens when your furnace turns on and off too frequently, with cycles lasting only a few minutes. To determine if your furnace is short-cycling, there are a few signs to look out for:
- Quick run cycles: Your furnace starts, runs briefly (around three to seven minutes), shuts off, then restarts within just a few minutes. If you’re experiencing more than 10 on-off cycles in moderate weather, short cycling is likely occurring.
- Temperature swings: Your home never feels quite warm enough, despite the furnace running, and rooms feel chilly shortly after the furnace shuts off.
- High energy bills: If you notice your energy bill increasing with no change to your heating habits, short cycling could be the culprit.
Constant short cycling could mean you have an oversized furnace for your home’s needs.
Signs Your Furnace Is Running Too Long
Short cycling is one problem, but a furnace that is running too long is another. Extended run times waste energy, fail to keep your home comfortable, and often signal that your furnace is losing its efficiency. Look out for these signs:
- Inconsistent room temps: If you notice that some rooms are actually cooler than others, your furnace may be struggling to keep up with demand.
- Energy bill spike: The longer your furnace runs, the more energy it wastes to fully heat your home.
- Unit never shuts off: A furnace needs to turn off to work properly for the next cycle.
When to Call for Furnace Repair in Amarillo?
Knowing when to call a professional for furnace repair can mean the difference between a quick repair and a full system replacement. Call for a Frank’s technician if your furnace is experiencing:
- Strange noises: Any grinding, banging, or screeching suggests mechanical failures.
- Strange smells: Burning smells usually mean an electrical issue, and musty or mildewy smell signal mold growth.
- Pilot light issues: Yellow or flickering furnace flames instead of the steady blue flame mean incomplete combustion.
- System failure: If your unit is failing to turn on during periods of extreme cold, call for a technician for emergency repairs right away.
Keep Your Home Warm With Frank’s Expert Heating Services
Don’t ignore warning signs that your furnace is cycling too little or too much. An early service from Frank’s will prevent minor issues from becoming major expenses down the road. For all heating repairs, maintenance, and installation, call Frank’s Repair Plumbing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to heat a house from 50 to 70?
It takes approximately two to four hours to heat a house from 50°F to 70°F, depending on the type of furnace you have. Other factors that impact this are the quality of your insulation, outside temperature, and the size of your home.
Can dirty filters affect furnace cycle time?
Yes, dirty air filters are one of the most common causes of furnace short cycling. A clogged filter restricts air flow, so make sure to change them out every one to three months.
Does a thermostat’s location affect furnace cycling?
A thermostat’s location does affect furnace cycling if it is near areas of heat, like windows, heat vents, or doors. This will cause it to give inaccurate temperature readings and your furnace to cycle on and off at the incorrect times.
