How Quickly Should a Furnace Heat a House?
When temperatures drop in the Atlanta area, homeowners need a reliable heating system to keep their homes at the perfect temperature.
An efficient and effective furnace shouldn’t struggle to heat your home. On average, it should turn on in less than five minutes and take 30 minutes to a few hours to fully heat your space. If your system is taking longer, it could require repairs or replacement.
In this article, the HVAC experts at United Air Temp discuss average heating cycles and the factors that impact your home’s heating time, along with simple steps to optimize your furnace use this winter.
How Long Is a Furnace Heating Cycle?
The average furnace will run two to three cycles per hour, with each cycle lasting anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. However, if temperatures are very low, your system may need three to 10 cycles per hour.
A greater number of cycles, especially on very cold days, isn’t a cause for concern. However, if your system requires many cycles during milder weather, you may have an issue.
Factors That Affect How Long It Takes a Furnace To Heat a Home
Many factors determine how long your furnace takes to heat your home:
- Home and system size: A larger home will take longer to heat and requires an appropriately sized furnace to provide the powerful heating you need.
- Insulation: Since poor insulation allows heat to escape your home, a well-insulated home will heat up faster than one with drafty windows and insufficient insulation in walls, attics, and floors.
- Furnace type: A gas furnace will heat your home faster as it produces more heat per unit of energy, while the heat from an electric furnace is slower.
- Energy efficiency: Highly efficient furnaces with AFUE ratings of 90% or above will heat your home quicker, as less energy is lost compared to a system with a lower AFUE.
- Thermostat function: A properly functioning thermostat will ensure that your furnace can heat your home efficiently and properly communicate with your furnace to eliminate delays or inefficiencies.
- Ductwork design and cleanliness: Clean and well-designed ductwork allows maximum airflow and faster home heating, while clogged or poorly placed ducts can be restrictive.
How To Optimize Your Furnace’s Heating Time
Homeowners looking to optimize their furnace’s heating time can take these simple steps:
- Schedule annual furnace maintenance.
- Replace your filters every one to three months.
- Seal air leaks in your ductwork and around your windows.
- Upgrade to a smart or programmable thermostat.
- Improve your home’s insulation.
- Upgrade to a high-efficiency heating system.
Choose United Air Temp
If your furnace is taking too long to heat your Atlanta home, trust the experts at United Air Temp to find a solution to restore your comfort.
With over 90 years in business, our team of highly trained technicians has the skills to provide long-lasting heating repairs or a replacement to ensure you have the powerful heating you need.
Our team offers 24/7 emergency care and same-day services to prioritize your comfort and convenience.
If your furnace is slow to heat your Atlanta home, call United Air Temp today to schedule furnace repairs with our experts.
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What Our Clients Are Saying
“United Air Temp was extremely responsive and scheduled me for an appt very quickly. The tech was very prompt and worked hard to find the issue which required replacing multiple parts as well as the thermostat.”
“They were able to come out within hours to address my no heat issue. It was only a fuse and they replaced it, checked both units, made recommendations and only charged the service fee.”
“Great service. The technician was very polite and efficient. He kept us informed of the status and progress during the repairing our unit. He provided us with contact information, should we have any further questions or concerns.”
“They fixed our heat quickly and we no longer have a 59-degree house! We were very satisfied Especially when he came early! We were freezing!”
“United Air Temp was extremely responsive and scheduled me for an appt very quickly. The tech was very prompt and worked hard to find the issue which required replacing multiple parts as well as the thermostat.”
“They were able to come out within hours to address my no heat issue. It was only a fuse and they replaced it, checked both units, made recommendations and only charged the service fee.”
“Great service. The technician was very polite and efficient. He kept us informed of the status and progress during the repairing our unit. He provided us with contact information, should we have any further questions or concerns.”
“They fixed our heat quickly and we no longer have a 59-degree house! We were very satisfied Especially when he came early! We were freezing!”
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