Returning home from the chilly outdoors, the last thing you expect to find is your furnace blowing cold air. While this isn’t uncommon, it could indicate a few issues that need your attention. Read on to discover a few simple reasons your furnace isn’t operating as it should. Some you can correct on your own, but if cold air persists, professional services may be in order.
Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?
A furnace is designed to warm the house by pumping warm air into the home, creating a warm barrier from the cold outside. So why is yours blowing cold? It could be due to something as simple as the unit warming up or it could indicate that core components aren’t functioning properly. Let’s dive into what this cold air means and some ways you can deal with it.
Thermostat Setting
One common reason for cold air is that the thermostat is set to ON. In this setting, the fan continuously blows air even when the furnace is not actively heating. As a result, warm air from the furnace is quickly mixed with the ambient air, causing the air blown from the vents to feel cold. To resolve this issue, simply switch the thermostat setting to AUTO. This allows the fan to operate only when the furnace is actively heating, ensuring warm air is distributed throughout your home without interruption.
Warming up
It takes a little time for the furnace to generate heat. As the unit begins to work you may feel the cool air from the vents instead of heat – but this is just the initial stage of the process. The air should heat up after a few minutes as the furnace mechanics generate warmth, but if it doesn’t, go ahead and contact furnace specialists to get the unit looked at for internal problems.
Clogged Air Filter
When the furnace’s air filter becomes clogged with dust or debris, it restricts the flow of warm air into your home. As a result, the furnace may fail to distribute warm air effectively, leading to a buildup of cool air that escapes through the blockage. Moreover, this blockage poses a significant fire hazard. If left unaddressed, the combination of internal heat and debris could ignite, causing a fire to spread throughout the system and into the house.
That’s why it’s essential to clean the filter system regularly. While you can clean the filter yourself, enlisting the help of a furnace specialist ensures a thorough cleaning and inspection of the entire system. This professional service provides a deeper clean while identifying any additional issues affecting the furnace system’s performance and safety.
Pilot Light Issues
If your furnace is blowing cold air, it could be that pilot light is off. Without a pilot light, the burners won’t ignite, resulting in no heat. To address this, you can manually turn on the pilot light by following these steps:
- Turn off the furnace to ensure there’s no heat.
- Locate the pilot light switch at the bottom of the assembly and switch it on.
- If the pilot light is on but not functioning, switch it off, wait a few seconds, and then switch it on again.
- Carefully check if the gas is flowing. If it is, cautiously light the pilot light with a lighter.
- If the gas flow is steady, you should be able to turn on the heat and receive warm air.
However, if these steps don’t work or if you’re uncertain about the process, it’s best to seek professional assistance. Always prioritize safety and avoid taking risks with furnace maintenance.
When To Seek Furnace Repairs
If the furnace unit is still blowing cold air, despite your minor fixes and adjustments, you need to seek professional furnace repair or routine servicing. Cold air can also indicate other mechanical problems like a faulty circuit board, igniter failure, or more intensive issues. Remember, mechanical issues in the furnace can lead to fire or other safety hazards.
Instead of stressing, why not just ask HVAC professionals to resolve the technical problems? Besides ensuring long-lasting heat from your furnace, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it’s functioning safely and correctly. Servicing your furnace will also preserve the unit for years to come, ensuring mechanical issues are fixed before they become major, expensive problems.
Call Exxel For Expert Furnace Repair and Maintenance in Central Maryland
At Exxel Mechanical Services, we offer our Silver and Gold Furnace Maintenance Plans with flexible pricing options and specific furnace services for you to choose from. We also offer a free inspection to fully evaluate your furnace and provide the best solutions to keep your equipment running safely and efficiently. Give us a call today at (443) 821-1040 or send a quick email to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist you!