How often should a gas furnace cycle on and off for those living in colder climates (Canada)? I have noticed that during winter, when maintaining the temperature of the house steady, my furnace tends to turn on every 5-10 minutes, staying on for about 10 minutes each time. I find this to be a little to frequent. I have the specs from the previous owner, and the furnace is 13 years old, 72,000 BTU (82% efficiency) in a 1200 sq foot 2 story home. I am thinking about getting it replaced as it had 3 separate problems this year with components breaking down (hot surface igniter, blower, flame sensor, etc.) and am wondering if perhaps it is oversized (i.e the frequent cycling) and I should get a smaller model?
How long do gas furnaces typically last anyways? I have read on the Internet that gas furnaces can last 20-25 years, but I'm wondering if perhaps that is reflective for warmer climates where furnaces aren't used as much. Over here the furnace is probably on from early October until mid-May.