When the cold winter season is dishing blowing icy, frigid wind and excruciatingly low temperatures, you expect to have a comfortable and warm space in your home. The last thing you want is a cold house because your furnace is blowing cold air instead of hot air!
Even if you have a relatively new furnace, there are a couple of things that can still go wrong. In some situations, you can do a do-it-yourself and repair the issue yourself. However, it is best that you know when to contact heating professionals so that you are not left in the cold for too long. Not only that, but you also don’t want to get frozen pipes.
Learn about the 11 most common causes your furnace is blowing cold air in the list below:
1. Thermostat Issues
Check if your thermostat has the wrong thermostat setting. Someone in your home might have switched it from AUTO to ON, meaning your fan is running constantly but isn’t providing heat. Simply change it back to AUTO, and see if it’ll blow warm air again. Another thermostat issue is that you might is low power. You can quickly fix this by changing the batteries. If you recently installed a new thermostat for your system, it could also be that the new one is incompatible with your furnace. You would need a heating expert to help you find and install a compatible one.
2. Oil Tank Problems
If you own an oil-fired furnace, check your tank as you might have run out of fuel. Your blower may keep distributing cold air throughout your home even after the burners do not light and circulate heat.
3. Faulty Controls
Newer furnace models have an electronic control panel. If this is the case, then try resetting your system. Turn off the furnace via the power button, and wait for a couple of minutes before you restart it. Call a professional if rebooting the electronic control panel doesn’t work.
4. Clogged Air Filter
You might also have a clogged oil filter. Dirt and debris might have accumulated the air filter, affecting the ignition. As a result, your heating won’t be able to blow hot air. The compromised airflow can also result in an overheated furnace. In turn, the burner will shut down and won’t be able to blow hot air. Call a professional to clean or replace the air filter and restart the furnace.
5. Dirty Oil/Gas Burners
If you neglect cleaning the furnace burner, dust and grime can accumulate. In turn, this dense buildup can cause trouble igniting the pilot. An expert can professionally clean and take care of this issue for you.
6. Extinguished Pilot Light
Older furnaces have an incessant pilot light. It might have gone out due to the wind or some other causes. You can relight the pilot light yourself. However, if you don’t know how or you’re uncomfortable doing it yourself, call a professional instead.
7. Malfunctioning Thermocouple
If notice that your pilot light keeps getting extinguished, you most likely have a damaged thermocouple that is causing your system to blow cold air. It is a sensor that is responsible for controlling the ignition and gas valve. Call a professional to help you replace or adjust the thermocouple.
8. Valve Problems
If the pilot light won’t relight, then you might have a malfunctioning gas valve in your hands. It could also be because your valve is blocked with a thick accumulation of dirt and debris. An HVAC professional can check and clean your system for you.
9. Broken Electronic Ignition
Newer furnace models come with an electronic ignition. When your furnace is blowing cold air, then HVAC repair technicians should check the electronic ignition and see if it needs adjustments or if any damaged parts need replacing.
10. Leaking Ducts
Another reason your furnace is blowing cold air can be because the hot air is leaking through holes in the ductwork. The ducts distribute heat all over your home so tears and holes can compromise this ability. An expert will examine your ducts and help rectify this issue.
11. Compromised Flame Sensor
If you notice that your furnace blows warm air at first then it quickly blows out cold, then the flame sensor might be compromised. You might have a worn-out flame sensor, or it might be covered in grime. These can result in the burner repeatedly shutting off. Have an HVAC professional make the necessary repairs.
Regular Maintenance
The best way to prevent HVAC issues such as your heating equipment blowing cold air is to make sure that your system receives regular quality cleaning and maintenance. Call in a heating service expert to prevent unexpected failures and to keep your furnace in perfect working condition at all times.