When temperatures plummet, you depend on your furnace to kick on and quickly warm up your space. Unfortunately, you might turn your furnace on only to find it is blowing cold air instead of the warm air you desire. This can lead to some significantly uncomfortable conditions, even indoors. Of course, you should contact the experts to have a look at your furnace before the problem gets even worse, but in the meantime, you can consider some of the common issues that might be causing your furnace to blow cold air and some fixes to try:

You Just Cut it On

Just as you have to let the water warm up when coming out of your faucet, the air blowing out of your furnace will also be cold at first too. Ductwork is cold when no heat is on throughout the winter. So, when you turn on the furnace, the first air out of your vents will be the cold air that was hanging out in your ducts. It shouldn’t take long, though, for it to switch to warmer and warmer air.

Your Thermostat Isn’t Functioning

While you might feel this point is a bit silly, many times, furnace problems are not a furnace issue at all, but the fact that it hasn’t even been turned on due to an improperly functioning thermostat or even an operating error. For example, there are two main issues that can be based on a thermostat. One is that you have not switched over the setting to heat. The second is that the thermostat fan is set to on, not auto. It’s also important to make sure that your thermostat is properly suited to your heating system and that it is getting power. This means checking that batteries are good. Keep in mind that even batteries that are a bit worn out can cause an issue.

Computer Glitch

As with everything in life, even furnaces have gotten modern and are computer-controlled. Therefore, if your system is on the new side, you might have one that is controlled by a computer and is currently experiencing a glitch in the system. Sometimes, resetting the system will reboot the computer and cause the furnace to function properly again. To try this, simply turn off your furnace for 30 seconds. Wait, and then power it back on. Yes, it’s the old turn-it-off and back-on fix.

Blocked Condensate Line

A blocked condensate line prevents burners from lighting and prevents warm air from being produced. Look for blocked lines by examining the furnace and looking for signs of water pooling. When a line is blocked by mold, ice, dust or dirt, it can reduce the line’s ability to remove water that is produced as part of the heating process.

Flame Sensor Issue

Another common problem is your furnace’s flame sensor. This is part of the system’s safety features. This device is designed to test all the burners and ensure they are lit. If this safety system detects that burners are not lit, it will automatically shut them off. Unfortunately, while this is designed for safety, the sensor can get dirty and begin to work improperly. You should have your sensors professionally cleaned, as this isn’t something that is ideal for homeowners to do themselves.

Pilot Light Has Gone Out

If you have an older furnace, you might have noticed that the pilot light has gone out. You can usually relight it safely enough. However, if after you light it, then it doesn’t stay lit, this indicates there is a bigger problem that likely needs to be addressed by a professional.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters can wreak havoc on a furnace and the entire heating system. Therefore, if you are experiencing cold air instead of warm coming out of your vents, check your filters. This will ensure that your entire system is getting the air it needs to function properly.

Contact the Professionals

While there are many ways you can remedy the problem of cold air blowing from your vents, sometimes, you need the help of a professional to get to the bottom of the issues. Contact us at Comfort Systems to learn more about how we service your furnace and ensure that it is working properly and will produce the warm air you desire in cold temperatures.

Posted in Blog, Furnaces