How Long Should the Furnace Flame Stay On?

You probably love how your furnace keeps you nice and warm, especially during those cold winter months. There's truly nothing like a reliable, high-quality furnace on a snowy day, right? Unfortunately, your home's heating system isn't perfect and can develop problems that prevent you from getting the heat you need.

If you want your home's furnace to work like a charm, you must understand how to keep your furnace's flame going strong. That's why the experts at Premier Systems are here to answer the question, "How long should the furnace flame stay on?" You can trust Bozeman's furnace repair professionals to help you understand how to keep your furnace's flame burning bright.

Why Are Furnace Flames Important?

Your furnace uses flames to start the heating process. When you turn your furnace on, its power supply creates a small spark which then ignites your furnace flame. As the electric or gas flow activates, your furnace kicks into action.

Once it's running smoothly, your unit generates heat. It warms the air, which it then distributes throughout your home using a network of ducts and vents. This complex yet ingenious process would be utterly impossible without furnace flames.

Most modern furnaces use either electricity or gas to spark their furnace flames. However, some older furnaces use more traditional pilot lights, although almost all units made after 2010 do not feature those. 

How Long Should My Furnace's Heating Cycle Run?

Furnace flames control your unit's heating process, running for a set amount of time until your living space reaches a specific temperature. These heating cycles often vary in duration, but usually last between 10 to 15 minutes per cycle, with approximately two to three cycles per hour. However, many furnaces suffer from frequent cycling issues, which prevents proper functioning.

You shouldn't let bad thermostat settings ruin your furnace's heating cycle. If you set your unit's thermostat at too high of a level, it will need to work extra hard to reach your goal. In this respect, answering the question, "How long should the furnace flame stay on?" requires understanding how to properly adjust your unit's thermostat.

In addition, the temperature outside affects your system's operation, as cold weather conditions can make your home drafty and cold. Even if your property has ample insulation, cold air can still worm its way inside your house, increasing the demand for your furnace. As such, your precious furnace will have to work around the clock, dragging out your heating cycles and sending your home's utility bills through the roof.

Common Furnace Flame Problems

When asking, "How long should the furnace flame stay on?" it's important to consider some common causes of furnace flame issues. Knowing how to identify furnace flame problems can save you time and money and can keep your furnace running smoothly.

Dirty Flame Sensor

Don't let a dirty flame sensor leave you out in the cold! Your furnace uses this part to help initialize the heating process. Unfortunately, dirt and muck buildup can block your sensor's detection capacity, causing it to shut off prematurely. If your flame sensor can't detect a flame within six seconds after your heating cycle begins, then it's very likely that it's dirty.

High Limit Trip

If your furnace keeps shutting down after getting hot, chances are your high-limit switch is tripping. When your furnace reaches extreme temperature or pressure levels, it kicks into action, shutting your furnace down before it overheats.

However, bad air filters, broken blower motors, and low-quality ductwork often trigger high-limit switches, preventing your furnace from running smoothly. Make sure you practice regular furnace maintenance to prevent these problems from interrupting your its heating cycle. When left unaddressed, your home's heating may suffer, and your furnace could even break entirely.

How to Fix Your Furnace Flame

When fixing your furnace flame, you'll need to consider which problem you're experiencing. For example, if you're struggling with a bad air filter, you'll need to clean or replace it, while a faulty high-limit switch will need resetting. If you're wondering, "How long should the furnace flame stay on?" contact your local professionals for further assistance.

Quality Furnace Maintenance in Bozeman

While we may have answered, "How long should the furnace flame stay on?" you may still have plenty of questions. If you're wondering how often to service your furnace, reach out to Premier Systems. We're Bozeman's furnace experts and have years of experience helping homeowners fix their furnaces. So whether you own an electric or gas furnace, we're ready to help. Call us at 406-708-4601 to get a quote today.