How Long Is Too Long to Heat or Cool Your Home?

Your HVAC system goes through cycles of heating or cooling as needed in order to keep your Coastal Bend home comfortable. How long should these cycles be, and how often should they happen? Here, find out more about setting HVAC cycles to get the most efficiency out of your heating or cooling system.

HVAC Cycle Lengths

How long should your cooling or heating system run during each cycle? This can vary based on the type of HVAC system you have and other factors, such as outdoor temperatures. On average, your HVAC system should run for about 10 to 15 minutes if the weather is mild. When it’s hotter or colder outside, you can expect your HVAC system’s cycle lengths to become longer as it works harder to cool or warm up your home.

HVAC Cycle Frequency

How often should your furnace, heat pump, or central air conditioning unit come on? Your heating or cooling system should run about two or three cycles per hour on average. If your system is coming on more frequently, you could have a problem that affects its efficiency, such as airflow problems due to a blockage or other damage. A dirty air filter can also cause your home’s HVAC system to run more often than usual.

Tips for Efficient HVAC Cycles

How can you make sure that your HVAC system is cycling as efficiently as possible? Pay attention to how long it runs and how often it comes on. If it’s running longer than usual on a regular basis, or if it’s cycling on and off more frequently than it should, you’ll need to have a professional HVAC technician check it for problems.

You can also ensure efficient HVAC use by not closing vents. Doing this can affect how efficiently your HVAC system is able to heat and cool your home, which can lead to  increased energy usage and more wear and tear that could shorten its life span.

If you need more help setting HVAC cycles or handling other HVAC tasks at your Coastal Bend home, please contact CCAC.