Ultimately, there are very few situations where shutting off your system will lead to lower utility bills or savings. That's because adversities and potential damage usually arise when you power off your furnace. During winter, it's especially risky to keep your furnace off for any period.
You shouldn't turn off the heat or the pipes can freeze and damage them when you turn the heat back on. You can turn down the heat but never turn it off during the winter.
As long as you follow a few common-sense precautions, you can safely switch back and forth between heating and air conditioning just as often as the weather changes. To begin with, when you want to switch your system from heating to cooling, or vice versa, you need to give it a little time.
Not really. The cost of heat is determined by the time the furnace or heater runs. Whenever it is off, there is no cost. After being off, it takes longer to regain temperature, but not sufficiently to be longer than if it were on all the time.
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.
It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.
A furnace “short cycles” when it turns off before reaching the desired temperature. This means that if your thermostat is set to 72 degrees, the furnace may shut down at 65 or 68 degrees, but will never reach 72 degrees. Short cycling can also be used to describe a furnace that turns on and off too often.
As long as the room is between 65 and 78 degrees, the ideal temperature depends on personal taste. Some may want to control their utility bill by keeping their home at 68 degrees and dressing in layers. Others will want the house to be around 78 degrees.
Although turning your heat on and completely off frequently can raise energy bills, you can actually save a lot of money by turning your heat down when you are not at home and keeping it at a reasonable temperature when you are.
A typical furnace could be on for fifteen minutes at a time and off for between five or ten minutes, meaning that it will cycle between two or three times in an hour. This cyclical process will not damage the furnace other than normal wear and tear, as the heat causes metal elements to expand or contract.
Don't be tempted to turn your thermostat up or down to an extreme temperature. This won't help your system warm or cool your home any faster. In fact, this will just cause the system to run for much longer than necessary, giving it unnecessary wear and tear and causing it to use extra energy.
Turning your air conditioner completely off and then on forces the system to work harder. Each time the air conditioner starts, it experiences a surge of power, which can strain the components. Over time, this can lead to a breakdown or the need for premature repairs.
As a general rule of thumb, you'll want to switch your thermostat to heating when the temperatures outside fall below 60°F. Of course, every home is different, and the temperature that's comfortable for you may be different than what's comfortable for someone else.
A range of 68-70 is the best setting in winter if you want to save money because your furnace or heat pump doesn't have to work as hard as it does to reach a higher set temperature. The DOE says the smaller the difference is between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the more you can save.
Gas is currently 6.24p per kW/hr. Electricity is 24.5p per kW/hr. Electricity has a current daily standing charge of 60.99p a day, while gas has a current daily standing charge of 31.66p. It has been estimated that around 50% of energy bills are spent on heating and hot water.
On the one hand, keeping a constant temperature can be more energy-efficient in some cases because your HVAC system doesn't have to work as hard switching between temperatures. However, this approach can also lead to wasted energy if you're heating or cooling your home when no one can enjoy it.
In fact, you can save more money if you turn the heat off and on based on need. By integrating these strategies into your heating cost management plan, you can significantly reduce energy consumption, leading to lower bills and a more environmentally friendly home.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
It's More Advisable to Turn the Heat Down, Not Off
Install an automatic thermostat so you don't have to manually adjust the temperature every day. When you turn off the heat in your home during the winter, your home loses heat faster.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
The lower the temperature is inside of the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. To achieve optimal comfort, it is recommended for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 to 72 degrees while there are people inside of the home.
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. That's why, instead of asking how often a furnace should cycle, it's best to stay alert to changes in how your furnace is running.