How often should heating be on?

Author: Miss Tressie Jacobs III  |  Last update: Saturday, September 20, 2025

While it should cycle throughout the day, clicking on too frequently may indicate a problem. Homeowners often find themselves wondering, "How often should my furnace cycle?" The answer lies in a gray area. On average, furnaces should kick on and turn off anywhere from three to eight times per hour.

How often should my heat kick on?

Typically, a furnace should cycle three to eight times per hour. While furnace cycling is normal, frequent cycling can indicate that your heating is struggling to keep up.

How often should you put the heating on?

It's better to just have it on when you need it. The Met Office, which measures temperatures and weather for the UK, recommends setting timers to turn the heating on before you get up and off after you've gone to bed.

What is a good heating schedule?

Generally, it's useful to have your heating come on around half an hour before you get up in the morning. Then, have turn it off again around half an hour before you go to bed. If you're planning on being out of the house, you can turn the heating off while nobody's in.

Why does my furnace come on every 10 minutes?

Reasons why your furnace keeps turning on and off:

Temperatures outside of home. Improper insulation. Faulty thermostat. Dirty flame sensor.

Is It Better To Leave The Heating On Constantly? Boilers & Heat Pumps | Consumer Advice

How long should my furnace stay off between cycles?

With an effective air delivery system and a well-insulated home, this should be long enough to establish your preferred temperature throughout the building. After resting for approximately five to 10 minutes, your furnace will likely cycle on again.

Is it normal for furnace to kick on every 20 minutes?

While it should cycle throughout the day, clicking on too frequently may indicate a problem. Homeowners often find themselves wondering, "How often should my furnace cycle?" The answer lies in a gray area. On average, furnaces should kick on and turn off anywhere from three to eight times per hour.

Is it cheaper to have heating on low all day?

Unless your house is very well insulated, keeping your heating on low all day is usually unnecessary and will cause your heating bills to soar. Instead, set your heating to come on in the morning before you get up and turn it off half an hour before you leave for work.

How many hours a day should heat be on?

Now, HVAC experts have revealed the timing secret to staying warm without sky-high bills is setting a consistent schedule to keep your home around a comfortable 68 degrees for around 8-10 hours a day. Here's how they achieve an optimal schedule to make heating more efficient without suffering in the cold.

What is a normal heating cycle?

The typical heating cycle for a modern and well-maintained furnace is about 15 to 20 minutes. On cold days, most furnaces cycle on approximately two to three times each hour. If your furnace cycles are much shorter or longer than this, there's likely a good reason why.

Is it OK to leave heating on all night?

Maintained Comfortable Room Temperature:

By leaving your heating on overnight, you can maintain a consistent and comfortable room temperature, keeping you and your family warm all night. This can result in better sleep, better health, and a more pleasant living environment.

How often should you apply heat?

In general, heat therapy can be applied for 15-20 minutes at a time. It is essential to allow the skin to cool down between heat therapy sessions. You can repeat heat therapy several times a day, with breaks of at least one hour in between applications.

What temperature to put heating on in winter?

The Energy Saving Trust says: “For most, the lowest comfortable temperature to set your heating to is between 18°C–21°C (64°F–70°F), as the World Health Organisation advises.” Lawless says: “The average thermostat setting in the UK is 20.8°C (69.4°F).

How often should I have my heating on?

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for how long your heating should be on, a general guideline for most homes is 8-10 hours per day. However, this guideline can vary based on the factors mentioned above.

How often should thermostat kick on?

Most furnaces kick on and off between three to eight times an hour, depending on things like outdoor air temperatures, the furnace's age, and how much insulation you have.

Is it normal for my heat to come on every 10 minutes?

It's normal for a furnace to turn on and off periodically. They are designed to cycle on and off, but a standard home furnace should only turn on and off between three to eight times per hour. That means normal heating cycles last from seven to 20 minutes.

What is a good heat schedule?

We recommend the following as the best thermostat settings:
  • For warmer times, set your thermostat at 78° F during daytime. Set it to 86° F if you leave the house.
  • For cooler times, set your thermostat to 68° F while you're at home and awake. Lower it to 65° F when you sleep.

Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?

While there are occupants in the house, it is advised for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 and 72 degrees to promote maximum comfort. A pleasant temperature for everyone in the house, regardless of the apparel they are wearing, is between 68 and 72 degrees, which is neither too warm nor too cool.

Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill?

Thermostat settings play a pivotal role in managing your heating system's efficiency. It's a common misconception that leaving your heating on at a constant temperature is more energy-efficient than turning it on and off. Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill each month? The answer is no.

What is the lowest you should have your heating on?

You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs. For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C.

Is it better to keep bedroom doors open or closed in winter?

Yes, open doors are generally better in winter to maintain a consistent temperature. They allow your heating system to distribute warm air evenly across rooms, improving comfort and efficiency while preventing energy waste.

What is the cheapest setting for heating?

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.

How often should a furnace turn on and off?

Generally, a furnace cycle lasts anywhere between three to 10 times every hour; however, the frequency changes depending on several factors. If your furnace is cycling on and off more frequently than it should, there could be a problem with one of its internal components.

How many hours of heating per day?

On average, running your heating for about 4–5 hours a day during the colder months might suffice to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. If you're away from home for a significant portion of the day, you can reduce your gas bills by setting the thermostat slightly lower like 15°C.

Why is my furnace kicking on every 10 minutes?

This is commonly caused by a dirty air filter. Once high temperatures are reached within the equipment, the limit switch shuts down the heating cycle for safety reasons. Then the furnace must cool down before another cycle starts – but the issue just happens again.

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