Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air? 7 Common Reasons Why
If you've recently turned on your furnace and notice it's blowing cold air, this could be alarming. Your comfort is at stake when you don't have a working heating unit. Here are 7 common reasons why your furnace might be blowing cold air and how you can fix it.
1. Clogged or Dirty Air Filter
When your air filter is dirty or clogged, your heating unit can't adequately push air through. Restricted airflow will mean your furnace has to run longer and work harder, and could result in your unit overheating. If this happens, then it could end up blowing cold air.
2. Incorrect Thermostat Settings
Sometimes, the problem is as simple as just having your thermostat incorrectly set. Check the settings on your thermostat to make sure you have the "heat" on if you notice your furnace blowing cold air this winter. It's also important to remember to set your thermostat to "auto" instead of "on". If your thermostat is set to the "on" position, then it could still blow air even if your furnace is turned off, which could also be the reason you're feeling a cold breeze.
3. Pilot Light Issues
Do you see that small blue flame on your furnace? That's your pilot light. That flame is what is used to heat your system up, so if you notice there is no pilot light, then this could be the reason you're feeling cold air. To fix the problem, try reigniting the flame with a lighter. If that doesn't work, contact a professional for further assistance.
4. Overheated System
We mentioned briefly above that a clogged air filter could cause your unit to overheat. A clogged air filter is only one of the causes of an overheated system, though. A furnace can overheat if there's dirt build-up, a mechanical failure, or simply old aid. As a safety feature, your furnace will automatically shut down if it starts to overheat. However, the blower will still be kicked on, resulting in a cooler breeze.
5. It Just Needs Time
When it gets really cold, we understand that you want heat and you want it now. But sometimes, our furnaces need a bit of time to heat up - especially if you have an older model. You should allow for about 15 minutes to pass before you start to panic. If your furnace has still not heated up and continues to blow cold air, then you could have an issue that needs to be addressed by a professional.
6. Clogged Condensate Line
If you have a clog in your condensate line, your furnace won't be able to ignite properly. When there isn't any ignition, then only cold air is able to make its way through your vents. Do you notice no ignition? If so, then it's time to call on a professional HVAC technician to inspect the problem for you.
7. Leaking Air Ducts
If your furnace is blowing cold air, it may not be due to your furnace at all. It could actually be due to leaks in your ductwork. Leaks in your air ducts are never good. This means that all that precious warm air is escaping. So, by the time the heat finally reaches your space, it's already made its exit. In cases like this, it's best to have your ducts checked and repaired quickly. Not only is your comfort at risk, but your wallet is too. Hello, high energy bills!
Is Your Furnace Blowing Cold Air? Contact The Pros At Wolfgangs Today! We Are Here For All Your HVAC Needs In Tempe, AZ
Doing business with us is a breeze - no pun intended. Contact the pros at Wolfgangs Cooling, Heating, and Plumbing today if you’re in need of furnace maintenance, repair, replacement, or installation. We are here to help with all your HVAC needs. We’ve been providing superior comfort and quality since 1982. Contact us today at 480-719-7776 or fill out our online form here so a team member can be in touch with you soon.
