Derek ColeGM, Simmons One Hour Heating & Air · AI HVAC Answers

Colder Temps = Longer Run Time

28 Jan 2026 · 0 min

Episode

28 Jan 2026 · 0 min

0:00

When outdoor temps drop to 18 degrees, your HVAC system kicks on backup heat strips. One system ran 22 hours straight during a cold snap, with the thermostat set between 69 and 73 degrees. Colder weather means longer run times and higher energy use.

Questions this episode answers

18 degrees

About 69, and another person sets 71, 72, 73

22 hours

No, it's not. Whatever you're comfortable at is a good temperature. Either way, with the 18 degrees, it's gonna activate that backup heat. The heat.
Strips. That's what I was thinking, because dawn got up on Sunday when it was real cold, and it was set at, like, 69, but she goes 71, 72, 73. And I said, I don't think it's gonna make a difference because it was 22 hours.
Right?
Does it make a.
Difference? It is. It's just gonna abdul that heat strip. Oh, it is. So it's gonna run longer to get at Sam.