Should I Let My Furnace Running Constantly?
A furnace is also referred to as a heater and it is used for heating a building. Generally, it warms the air and distributes it throughout the house or a building. When we have a furnace, the first thing that comes to our mind is, is it bad for the furnace to run constantly?
Should I Run the Furnace Fan Continuously?
Letting your furnace run constantly is generally not recommended, as it can increase energy bills and strain your furnace, potentially shortening its lifespan. However, in extremely cold climates or in homes with poorly insulated pipes that are at risk of freezing, keeping your furnace running constantly can help prevent damage. It’s important to have your furnace regularly maintained to ensure it’s in good condition and not damaged by constant use.
If the Furnace Works Continuously, Will it Break Sooner?
When you have a furnace, you might wonder if it will break sooner if you use it continuously. The answer is no. It will not break sooner if you continue to use it without stopping even for a little time. The reason is furnace systems are created in such a manner that they can run continuously while delivering the desired results.
However, it is quite important to note that your system will only deliver the required results and will not break sooner if it is installed in the right manner with the right tools. If the system is not even installed properly, it will not meet your expectations and it will not provide you with the results that you need or expect.
Drawbacks of Furnace Work Constantly
1. Higher Electricity Bills
When it comes to letting the furnace work constantly, the main drawback is that your electricity bills might slightly increase. It is understandable that if you let the furnace run all the time, it will consume more electricity and it will naturally cause the electricity bills to increase a little. However, this is not the case with a furnace that has a high-efficiency motor. When you have a furnace with a high-efficiency motor, it will not only help you to maintain your electricity bills but it will also help you save costs. For instance, it will eliminate the need of running an air conditioner or heater because the temperature will stay even in the house.
2. Frequent Maintenance
Another drawback of having the furnace work constantly is that you will need to maintain it frequently. It is quite obvious that if you are relying on the furnace significantly and you are using it constantly without stopping it, you will have to consider its maintenance more frequently than usual.
Benefits of Furnaces Continuously Running
1. Better Circulation of Air
The main benefit of continuously running the furnace fan is that you have a better circulation of cooled or heated air. For instance, homeowners who have multi-story homes or large houses will benefit from it more than homeowners with single-story houses.
It is quite important to note that since heat increases, the upper level of your home will get warmer while the lower level will remain cooler. When the fan runs continuously, it will provide you with an even temperature throughout the house. When you put the thermostat to fan mode, it will provide you with even temperatures by pulling hot air back down to the ground level while pushing some of the cooler air to the upper floors through the ductwork.
2. Even Temperature Throughout the House
If your home is a single-story house, you can still benefit when the furnace fan runs continuously in the summer months because it will even out the temperature and will prevent you from having noticeable cold spots or hot spots. There are moments when we feel that a particular area in the house is quite cold while the other areas are warm and in summer, it does not feel that great. In such situations, you can rely on your furnace to provide you with an even temperature in the house. It means when the furnace fan runs continuously, you will not feel that some specific areas feel colder than others.
3. Improved Quality of Air
Another important benefit of having the furnace fan run continuously is that it allows you to improve the quality of air in the house. If you have allergies or asthma, or if you have a family member with allergies or asthma, having the fan operate all the time can prove to be quite beneficial. For instance, when the fan will run without stopping, it will continue to circulate the air and will improve the quality of air.
It means that for people with different types of respiratory illnesses, letting the fan run continuously can prove to be quite beneficial.
FAQ
Is it safe to let my furnace run constantly?
Generally, it is safe to let your furnace run constantly as long as it is well-maintained and not showing any signs of malfunction. However, doing so can increase your energy bills and put extra strain on your furnace, potentially shortening its lifespan.
Will letting my furnace run constantly make my home more comfortable?
It depends on the climate you live in and how well-insulated your home is. In some cases, keeping your furnace running constantly can help maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, especially in extremely cold climates. However, in milder climates or well-insulated homes, it may not be necessary or beneficial to keep your furnace running constantly.
Will letting my furnace run constantly save me money on energy bills?
No, letting your furnace run constantly will actually increase your energy bills. Furnaces are designed to cycle on and off to maintain a comfortable temperature, so running it constantly will use more energy and increase your bills.
Can letting my furnace run constantly damage it?
Running your furnace constantly can put extra strain on the system, potentially shortening its lifespan. It is important to have your furnace regularly maintained to ensure it is in good working condition and not being damaged by constant use.
When should I let my furnace run constantly?
If you live in an extremely cold climate or have poorly insulated pipes that are at risk of freezing, keeping your furnace running constantly can help prevent damage. Otherwise, it is generally not necessary or recommended to let your furnace run constantly.