Should I Call for Repair? My Furnace Seems to Run Constantly!

There are days during the late fall and winter when the furnace never seems to turn off, and homeowners may be concerned whether that’s normal. One of the biggest things to take note of is changes in the way your heating system operates. If it runs longer than usual, has trouble heating your home, or sounds different, you may want to call for furnace repair.

A furnace that runs almost non-stop is not necessarily a bad thing. Furnaces are sized so that it can heat your home to 70 degrees on the coldest day. So, if you notice it running non-stop on some of the coldest days of the year, it’s probably just doing its job.

There are other possibilities though, and if your furnace continues to run even when the temperature warms up outside, there are some things you can check.

• First, inspect your air filters. Clogged filters can make the furnace run inefficiently and improperly.
• Next, look into your thermostat. It’s possible that it either needs to be replaced, or relocated to a different location in the home. If it’s installed in a colder room, it may be calling for heat when you don’t really need it.

There are also non-furnace issues to consider. Maybe you need to check into your insulation situation. Perhaps the house needs to be sealed better around problem areas such as windows, doors, or electrical outlets. If cold air is getting in, it’s probably causing the furnace to run more frequently.

Another frequent issue is an improperly-sized furnace. If the heating system is too big, homeowners often notice it cycling on shortly after it turned off. Unfortunately, bigger isn’t always better.

Since there are many different factors in a furnace that runs a lot, it’s always a good idea to have it looked at by a qualified professional at least once a year. That will ensure your furnace is running efficiently, and ready to keep you warm on the coldest days of the winter.