Wondering how long it should take for your home to warm up after turning on the heat? We explain what's normal and what's not.
The Warm-Up Process
When your thermostat signals the furnace to turn on, you shouldn't feel hot air instantly. The system goes through a sequence: the inducer motor starts, the ignitor glows, the gas valve opens, the burners light, and finally, after the heat exchanger warms up (usually 1-2 minutes), the blower motor pushes the warm air into your home.
Heating Your Home
Once the warm air is flowing, a properly sized furnace should be able to raise the temperature of your home by about 1 degree Fahrenheit every 10 to 15 minutes, depending on insulation and outside temperature.
Signs of Trouble
If your furnace takes significantly longer to heat your home, or if it runs constantly without reaching the set temperature, you may have issues like a clogged filter, leaky ductwork, or an undersized unit. A professional inspection can diagnose the problem.
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