To stop your heater from running constantly, first check that your thermostat's fan setting is switched from "ON" to "AUTO". Next, replace your air filter, as a clogged filter restricts airflow and causes the system to overwork. If the heater still won't shut off, troubleshoot the following areas:
It's normal for your heat pump to run fairly constantly in the winter time. With low temperatures, your pump will be working nonstop for hours to ensure your home stays warm.
Check the Thermostat
In outdoor temperatures above 30 degrees, the heat pump should cycle off and on like a normal furnace. Somewhere between 20 and 30 degrees outdoor temperature, the heat pump will reach a “balance point” where the heat needed by the home is equal to the heat supplied by the heat pump. So now it will run all the time.
During extreme cold snaps (below 10°F), yes, it's fairly normal for your furnace to run almost continuously. It's working hard to replace heat that's escaping your home faster than usual. If it's running nonstop during mild winter weather though, that indicates a problem.
Known for his practical tips, Lewis introduced the '4pm rule' which involves using curtains strategically to retain heat. He suggests opening curtains when the sun rises at around 8:30am to let in natural warmth, and closing them by 4pm to keep the heat inside.
Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter? While slightly higher than the typical energy-saving range of 68°F–70°F, 72°F still offers a reasonable balance between comfort and efficiency.
Your auxiliary heat, or secondary heat source, should come on when your heat pump is struggling to heat your home effectively. The thermostat will trigger auxiliary heat when: The outside temperature is below 40 degrees or a set aux heat trigger temperature. The heat pump is in defrost mode.
Typically, a properly sized furnace will run for about 10–15 minutes per cycle during colder months. If your furnace turns on every few minutes, it may be short cycling, which can indicate issues such as a clogged filter, blocked vents, or an oversized unit.
The best temperature to set a heat pump in the winter is 68°F (20°C) when you are awake and at home. This temperature strikes the perfect balance between comfort and energy efficiency.
It's very easy for things in your home to catch fire if placed too close to a fan heater. Also, try to keep children and animals away from fan heaters. It's possible that they could drop or poke something through the vents and onto the metal coil, which may start a fire, and puts them in danger if they're too close.
If your furnace keeps running thermostat off, a miscalibrated thermostat could be sending the wrong signals to your heating system. Incorrect settings, such as a fan set to “On” instead of “Auto,” can cause continuous operation.
Heat pumps don't necessarily "stop working" at specific temperatures, but their efficiency drops significantly as it gets colder.
Inspect Your Air Filter
A clogged, dirty air filter can cause your heating system to work overtime. It's not able to send enough heat into your home, so it just keeps running. The air filter should be cleaned and replaced every two to three months.
Thermostat Problems
Your thermostat is the brain of your heating system, controlling when the furnace should start and stop. If something's wrong with your thermostat, your furnace might run continuously.
Typically, a furnace can run for several hours without interruption, but this isn't recommended for long-term efficiency or system health. If your furnace runs continuously, it could indicate that your home is losing heat faster than the furnace can produce it, which may be due to poor insulation or air leaks.
In fact, a healthy system will normally go through 2 to 3 cycles per hour, each lasting in that 10–15 minute range. In the winter, a furnace might run for 20 minutes or more, especially on very cold days or when it needs to catch up after the temperature drops. What matters most is consistency.
No, 68°F is not generally considered cold for a house in winter. In fact, experts at the U.S. Department of Energy recommend 68°F as the ideal, energy-efficient temperature for the winter months while you are awake.
5 Warning Signs It's Time for Furnace Replacement
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
There are two entirely different HVAC concepts known as the "20-degree rule" for heat pumps. The first is a user guideline that suggests setting your thermostat no more than 20∘F above or below the outdoor temperature. The second is an equipment metric referring to the system's "temperature split" or output efficiency.
The cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter is 68°F (20∘C20 raised to the composed with power C𝟐𝟎∘𝐂) while you are home, and lowering it to 61°F–65°F when you are away or sleeping, according to the Department of Energy. Setting your thermostat back 7°–10°F for 8 hours can save up to 10% a year on heating costs.
These policy recommendations are aligned with many of the goals identified in the 2022 California Extreme Heat Action Plan (EHAP). The state should consider a general maximum safe indoor air temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (27.8 degrees Celsius) for residential dwelling units.
While 72 degrees is a popular choice among homeowners, it's actually lower than what's recommended for energy efficiency. The Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during the summer months.