If you’ve recently faced a furnace issue where the unit is blowing cold air instead of heating, there’s likely to be an easy fix. Most home and business owners are unfamiliar with furnace repairs and may not know how to investigate the issue and rectify it.
This article will identify common furnace issues and how to solve them.
What is a Furnace?
A furnace or heating system is an appliance that heats or cools the air in your home by taking warm air and blowing it into the space. The unit has a blower, ducts, and vents that circulate the warmer/cooler air throughout the space. These units are found in both residential homes and commercial businesses. When the unit fails to blow warm air, there is a reason for it.
Furnace Issues That Blow Cold Air
There are a number of reasons why your furnace might be blowing cold air instead of heat or cooled air. The issue may lie with the heating elements inside of the unit or with one of its components that affect airflow into the home. Before you contact a service technician, consider the following:
The Air Filter Is Dirty
Your heating and cooling system needs clean air to function properly. If you haven’t replaced the unit’s air filter in the last few months, it may be dirty or clogged with debris that reduces airflow into your home. This can cause your unit to blow cold air as well as affect the indoor air quality of the space. A dirty filter also tends to increase energy costs because the furnace has to work harder than normal and circulate less cool/warm air throughout a room.
To Replace: The process is straightforward – remove the old filter and replace it with a new one – but it can vary depending on how your furnace is set up and what type of filter was installed at assembly time. If you’re not sure how to change the filter, consult your furnace’s manual or contact a service technician for assistance.
You Have Freezing Temperatures Outside Your Home
Frozen air is another common reason why your heating system may be blowing cold air. If you’re seeing icicles form on the exterior of your home, there’s likely freezing water that is blocking airflow into or out of your home. Take note that this can actually happen in reverse – hot air from inside the home that typically exits through an open door or window may freeze due to colder outdoor temperatures and create an ice blockage.
To Fix: The first step is to ensure that nobody enters the space until thawed ice has been eliminated. Next, employ these three steps to unblock any frozen air that is stuck in your heating system:
1. Turn the power off at the circuit breaker. This should be done by checking with local authorities to ensure that it’s safe to turn off the wall switch prior to investigating your furnace circuitry. If there are no instructions, consult a qualified electrician for assistance.
2. Check for water leaking into or out of your home. You may need to head outside and walk around the exterior until you locate an area where frozen air is present – if water is actively dripping onto the ground, find another space where there isn’t any evidence of it dripping outdoors. Keep in mind that icicles typically form on porches or balconies, not inside rooms or along exterior walls of homes/businesses.
Also, icicles are typically clear or blue in color. If you notice ice formations that are black or orange, this is likely the result of burning coal/gas instead of freezing water.
3. Search your unit for any evidence of water damage inside the furnace room/area. Look for actual puddles of water on the ground as well as discoloration around areas where air travels into your home.
4 Your Thermostat Has a Problem
Most homeowners have basic thermostats installed in their homes that are designed to simply turn the unit on and off depending on occupant activity or changes in outdoor temperatures. More advanced thermostats have additional features such as programmable timers, system diagnostics, and so forth – if your machine is blowing cold air and you have one of these installed, check to ensure that it is functioning properly. To do this, press the programming button and check on the current time, date, and temperature settings.
In some cases, a more advanced thermostat may have become disconnected from your heating unit. In addition to checking for loose wires or an unplugged connection on the backside of the machine, ensure that it is sitting flush against a wall or other type of surface so that airflow into/out of the area is not impeded by improper installation.
The Importance of Regular Furnace Maintenance
If you’re seeing issues with your furnace that is blowing cold air, it may be time to ramp up on your maintenance procedures. For starters, check your filters at least three times a year during the winter months when you run the machine for long periods of time. If they’re dirty and clogged, this can hinder airflow into your home and cause the unit to work harder than normal in an attempt to circulate warm/cool air throughout your living spaces.
In addition, using a damp/moist rag, wipe down all exterior vents and grates so that dust and other debris isn’t blocking airflow in or out of the area. Lastly, ensure that nobody enters the space until these issues have been resolved – never operate a heating system if you suspect a problem with the machine.
Be Sure To Always Call a Licensed Professional
If you’re seeking professional help to resolve problems with your furnace, ensure that whoever you hire is licensed and insured to work in your area. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions about their experience level before signing any contracts or agreements if they cannot provide proof of insurance.
Also, if the individual(s) who show up at your home cannot provide proof of insurance and/or licensure upon request, this should be an automatic red flag that prompts you to call another company for assistance. After all, it’s important to protect yourself by ensuring that only properly trained individuals enter your space!
Choosing a licensed professional like the ones here at Austin AC ensures not only your safety but the health of your machine as well. In addition to being licensed HVAC technicians, they have been trained through hands-on instruction from the industry’s top manufacturers. Most importantly, however, is that they are committed to their craft and will go above and beyond your expectations to ensure the optimum performance of your heating system!