I have a one level home with attic 28 x 48 plus an addition of 14 x 25 (catheredal ceiling). Attic spaces are connected. All have soffitt vents. Roof vents are on the addition only. The original roof has a gable vent, a standsard, flat roof vent, and two 12″ rotary vents.
I am thinking that all this ventalation in the attic may be an overkill during the winter thus making the attic colder then it should be to retain heat in living spaces. Insulatuion in the attic is 9″.
The reason for this post is that my furnace cycles on about every 10 minutes, When it is really cold it seems like it comes on as soon as it shuts off.
House location is in RI. Thoughts??
Replies
Start by having your furnace checked - it sounds like it is short cycling or maybe the thermostat anticipator is set wrong
When it is cold, and the furnace burner goes off - the blower will continue to run for a minute or two.
Does the flame come back on before the blower turns off? That would be short cycling and can indicate any of several possibilities: from a plugged filter to a cracked heat exchanger (although that last is unlikely, it is a possibility.)
Since you're in RI, I'm guessing you burn oil. A likely problem is the jet orifice is the wrong size - it is very important to have oil burners serviced every year because of the wear on the jet from the fuel oil.
Be sure to have the barometric damper checked for a proper setting; that can affect internal temps of the furnace.
The key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. Max Lucado
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
If you're losing too much heat through the insulation into the attic, you need more insulation. But any heat that does make it into the attic needs to be gotten rid of, because a warm attic is where ice dams come from.
The attic isn't supposed to be warm, or help hold heat in the house.
Think about the opposite - Do you want the attic really hot then?
Bob brought up several points about your furnace that would be worth looking into.
What about wall insulation and windows? Your problem maybe there instead of in the attic...
An Attic space with proper amount of air flow between soffits and ridge vents can NEVER have too much ventilation. The more ,the better.
In the winter time, the colder the attic the better, as long as you have adequate INSULATION.
For the furnace to be cycling too frequently would suggest not enough an R value in the insulation that is in the home. Also, check poor fitting windows, and caulk any cracks, etc.
(too much heat loss /cold infiltration).
The attic can't be too cold. The insulation can be insufficient, though, or there can be (often major) air leaks into the attic from "conditioned" space.
Ideally, a properly-sized furnace should run almost continuously on the coldest night of the year.
Bob gave some great information above, but I tend to agree that this sounds like an insulation problem. I know New England winters all too well, and the last thing you want is a warm attic that can lead to ice damming...unless you like to reshingle houses that is....
In short, I agree with the above - the attic can't be "too cold". It's true that the heat wants to travel to the colder areas of the house, but everybodys attic is cold in the winter and hot in the summer - insulation on the attic floor, around the entry hatch, on top of the wall plates, etc are the keys to keeping the living sections of the house comfortable. Afterall, we don't want to make those damn squirrels too comfortable up there do we?
-JustinThe four most expensive words in construction are 'I can fix that' - Dave Crosby
...by the way, I should mention that this was a great question to ask Paul, keep em coming!The four most expensive words in construction are 'I can fix that' - Dave Crosby
I agree that there's a need for insulation and weatherization, but it can't have been so cold yet up in your neck of the woods that the furnace is frequently cycling because of excessive heat loss, so I think there are furnace issues AND insulation issuesThe key to forgiving others is to quit focusing on what they did to you, and start focusing on what God did for you. Max Lucado
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
I agree with others. You should have a minimum of 12" of insul in the attic for your heat zone (RI). Check for air leaks around pipes,wires, and light fixtures first, you would be surprised how much a few little leaks ad up to in heat lost. Insulate furnace pipes too. Any single panes of glass? Stretch some plastic over them, helps a great deal with 'comfort level'. Show us a pic of your attic and furnace, we love to see pics here.
9" of what kind of insulation?
Joe H