Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?
There’s nothing worse than a house with no heat on the coldest day of the year. To add insult to injury, if your furnace blows cold air sometimes, it might feel like it’s cooling your house down even more. There’s no need to fear, though; Redman Services is here to save the day. We’ve created a list of handy tips you can troubleshoot to figure out why your furnace is blowing cold air, and when you need to call a professional.
Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?
If it’s been an especially long time since you’ve had your furnace serviced, then schedule your seasonal furnace maintenance with Redman. Your furnace should be cleaned and inspected every year before you turn it on for the first time. This helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and keeps your furnace running efficiently during the winter.
Here are a few things you can do to try and troubleshoot a furnace that’s blowing cold air:
Check Your Thermostat
It might sound silly, but if you’re getting cold air instead of warm air coming from your vents, make sure that your thermostat is set to “heat” and not “cool.” It happens more often than you’d think. Once you’ve made sure the thermostat is set to “heat,” set the temperature high enough so the furnace kicks on. Make sure the fan is set to “auto” and not “on.” The “on” setting will keep the fan blowing all the time.
Replace Your Furnace Filter
Another common reason why your furnace sometimes blows cold air is because your filter is clogged. Furnace filters should be replaced about every 90 days. You can buy furnace filters at most hardware stores. Your furnace filter catches all the debris, germs, and allergens that are in your vents and ducts. Over time, these filters get filled and restrict airflow to the furnace. If you can’t remember the last time you had your filter replaced, try that to see if it helps your furnace produce heat.
Pilot Light Is Out
Like a gas stove, your furnace relies on a pilot light to be on continuously in order to light a larger burner, like a furnace. Similar to your stove, your pilot light on your furnace can be put out as well. Luckily, it’s easy to relight your pilot light yourself.
Gas Supply Is Low or Off
Furnaces rely on gas to work. Check to make sure your gas line is open by making sure the gas valve lever is parallel with the gas supply pipe. If your gas line is open, check any other gas appliances like your stove to see if there is an issue with these appliances too. If there is, call the gas company to see if there is a known outage or issue in your area.
Flame Sensors Are Dirty
Furnaces without pilot lights often have flame sensors or flame rods instead. If this sensor is dirty, it can’t detect the heat properly, and it will shut the burner off. Get a rag and try to clean these sensors to see if that helps, or a professional can make sure these sensors are clean and working properly.
Leaky Ducts
There is a chance that your furnace is working properly, but there may be a major leak with your air ducts that’s causing the warm air to escape. Inspect your ductwork around your furnace and in your attic for substantial leaks. You can repair these leaks with tape, or contact someone to inspect and fix your ducts for you.
If Your Furnace Is Still Blowing Cold Air, Call Redman
If you’ve tried all of our tips, and your furnace is still sometimes blowing cold air, then it’s time to call for help. Redman Services is here to keep the citizens of Columbia City, IN and beyond comfortable all year round. Call us today to schedule an appointment.