When Should I Turn My Furnace Off In The Spring?

As we move from winter into spring, you might wonder when you should cut off your furnace. Though you usually shouldn’t turn off your furnace if it’s connected to your air conditioner through a central air system, it can have some benefits when you have a stand-alone furnace. So if you think you might want to turn off your furnace in the spring, take a moment to find out more about if you need to turn it off and when to do so.

Do You Need to Turn Off Your Furnace?

When the temperature outside is hotter than what you’ve set your thermostat to, your furnace won’t typically cycle on. As a result, many homeowners wonder if it’s even worth taking the time to shut off their furnaces in the first place. While it’s not strictly necessary to shut off your furnace, it can be helpful for homes with a furnace that’s not connected to their air conditioning unit.

Since your furnace’s pilot light will stay on and use energy when you haven’t shut down your furnace, turning off your furnace can potentially keep your bills lower and reduce your energy usage over spring and summer. Besides lowering your energy bills, cutting off your furnace can ensure that even if someone accidentally switches your thermostat to the heating setting, your heat won’t kick on during a hot summer day. 

Should You Turn Off Your Furnace If It’s Connected to Your Air Conditioner?

Though it’s good practice to turn off your furnace in the spring when your AC and furnace are separate, it’s usually not recommended if you have a central HVAC system that connects your AC and furnace. When your furnace is connected to your AC via a central air system, the furnace will likely play an important role in ensuring your AC performs effectively.

For example, a central air system often uses a furnace to power the AC’s evaporator coil or the outdoor condenser. Some central air systems also use the furnace’s blower assembly to circulate cool air from the air conditioner throughout a home. 

When you have a furnace that performs any of these functions for your air conditioner, you shouldn’t turn your furnace off in the spring or summer. If you’re not sure if your furnace is connected to your AC, an HVAC technician can inspect your system and let you know if it’s a good idea to turn it off or not.

How Do I Know When I Should Turn My Furnace Off in the Spring?

If you have a stand-alone furnace that’s not connected to your AC, you can usually turn it off without causing any problems. While there’s no specific month or day when you should turn it off, a good rule of thumb is to shut it off only after temperatures have started to stay at a consistent 60 degrees or higher. Once the outside temperature is regularly around 60 degrees, light from the sun should keep your home warm enough throughout the day.

To shut off your furnace, it’s best practice to either follow your furnace manual’s instructions or reach out to an HVAC technician to do it for you. Since shutting off a furnace can be complicated, an HVAC technician can ensure it’s been turned off correctly. They can also provide preventative maintenance after turning your furnace off to prevent wear and tear while it’s not in use.

Choose Bonney for Furnace Maintenance in Sacramento

If you’re looking for furnace maintenance services near you in Sacramento, Bonney can help. Our HVAC professionals can inspect your furnace and provide any needed maintenance, repair, or replacement services to ensure it always runs at its best. Through our Bonney Beyond membership, you can also receive annual inspections and maintenance for your heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. Additionally, you can review our financing options and coupons to ensure any of our heating or cooling services meet your budget.

Learn more about our furnace maintenance and repair services today. If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us.