My Furnace Keeps Running When Temperature Is Reached

Why this happens and what to do about it

There’s nothing like coming home to the cozy, comfortable warmth of a home heated by an oil furnace.

However, if it keeps running after your home has reached the temperature you set on the thermostat, that’s a problem. Your home may get uncomfortably warm. And heating oil is being wasted, meaning you’re in line for higher heating oil bills. Ouch!

If this is happening in your home, it’s time to do some sleuthing. There may be many causes and solutions. Remember, Wesco Oil provides quality oil furnace service throughout our service area in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.

Things to check for if your furnace won’t stop:

Check the thermostat setting. Is your furnace set at a reasonable temperature? The United States Department of Energy recommends 68˚ Fahrenheit in the winter for the sweet spot of comfort and efficiency. If you’ve set your thermostat in the upper 70s or into the 80s, you’re going to make your furnace run for a long time so it can reach that temperature.

Check the air filter on your furnace. A clogged air filter reduces air flow throughout your heating system, meaning the air you’re heating is not reaching your living space. Inspect your air filter once a month, and change it when you need to. It also helps your furnace run more efficiently, saving you money on heating oil costs.

Check the ductwork. As air flows through your ductwork, seals and joints loosen. That can create leaks. Other leaks may also develop. Leaky ductwork makes it hard for your furnace to reach and stay at your set temperature, meaning it will run longer and more often.

Check your weatherizing. Did you know that up to 15 percent of the heated air in your home can be lost to drafts? That heat loss makes your furnace work harder, longer and more often. Most of those drafts can be found around windows and exterior doors. A few hours with some weatherstripping, caulk, expanding foam, weatherized plastic and door sweeps can make a big difference.

What to do if your furnace keeps running after the temperature has been reached

There are some things you can look into and try yourself before making a request for service.

1. Check the blower motor. It may be the blower motor and not the whole furnace that won’t stop running. Here’s how to figure this out. Feel the air coming out of the vents. Is it warm? Then both the furnace and boiler are running. Is the air cool or cold? Only the blower is running. If the air is cool or cold, go to your thermostat and see whether it is set to “on” instead of “auto.” If it is, switch the setting to “auto” and see if the problem stops.
2. Check the thermostat. If the on/auto switch didn’t change anything, look more closely at the thermostat. There may be disconnected or frayed wires, or maybe worn batteries. If changing the batteries doesn’t work, you likely will have to install a new thermostat. Today’s programmable and smart thermostats are great at custom heating and saving energy!

If none of this troubleshooting solves the problem, contact Wesco Oil and our knowledgeable heating system technicians will be on the job. They’ll diagnose the problem, the fix it quickly and correctly so you can relax and enjoy your warm and comfortable home.

Trust Wesco Oil to keep your home safe and warm with reliable heating oil delivery and equipment service with equipment experts. Get in touch with us today to learn more!