You turn to your furnace to provide nice, comfortable heat during the bitterly cold winter weather. But if your furnace is doing the exact opposite and only blowing cold air throughout your home, you’ve got a definite problem on your hands.
Rusk Heating & Cooling’s latest blog post will explore what causes a furnace to blow cold air, provide some troubleshooting tips, and discuss when you should call on a professional for repairs.
Get in touch with us today to schedule furnace services in the Greater Cincinnati area.
What Causes a Furnace to Blow Cold Air?
When your furnace starts blowing cold air, it can be both uncomfortable and concerning. The most common issues behind a furnace blowing cold air include.
- Thermostat Problems: One common culprit is a thermostat malfunction. If your thermostat is set to “heat” but is not functioning correctly, it may not signal the furnace to produce warm air.
- Dirty Air Filters: Clogged or dirty air filters can obstruct airflow, causing your furnace to overheat and shut down prematurely, resulting in cold air blowing through your vents.
- Pilot Light Issues: In older gas furnaces, a malfunctioning pilot light can prevent the burners from igniting, leading to cold air circulation.
- Faulty Ignition System: Modern furnaces often use electronic ignition systems. If this system fails, your furnace won’t ignite, and you’ll be left with cold air.
- Lack of Maintenance: Neglecting regular furnace maintenance can lead to various problems, including cold air issues. Dust and debris can accumulate, affecting performance.
Furnace Troubleshooting Tips
Before you call on a professional, you can try these troubleshooting steps to see if they fix the issue:
- Check the Thermostat: While this may seem obvious, check your thermostat and make sure it’s set correctly. Ensure the unit is set to “heat” and at the desired temperature.
- Inspect the Air Filter: Every 1-2 months, you should replace your air filter to keep the system running correctly. Inspect the air filter and, if it appears to be clogged, replace it. This may fix the issue.
- Verify the Pilot Light: If you have a gas furnace, check if the pilot light is lit. If the light is not on, be sure to contact a professional. Attempting to repair gas-related problems without expertise can be dangerous.
- Reset the Furnace: Turn off the furnace for a few minutes and then turn it back on to reset it. If this does not help, reach out to a professional.
- Inspect Vents: Ensure all vents are open and unobstructed. If a room’s vents are blocked or closed, it can disrupt the airflow, causing imbalances in temperature and making certain rooms feel colder than others.
Professional Repairs to Restore Furnace Performance
If you’ve tried to troubleshoot the issue on your own but haven’t been able to solve the problem, turn to the professionals. HVAC technicians will provide your furnace with a thorough inspection to determine the cause of the cool air and recommend the necessary repairs.
The most common solutions to a furnace blowing cold air include:
- Ignition System Repair
- Thermostat Recalibration
- Gas Valve Replacement
- Heat Exchanger Repairs
Choose Rusk Heating & Cooling for Furnace Services in the Greater Cincinnati Area
If your furnace isn’t providing your Cincinnati area home with the level of comfort you expect, count on Rusk Heating & Cooling for professional furnace repair and replacement. Our team will thoroughly inspect your system to determine the root cause of the issue.
From there, we’ll apply our expertise to provide you with a solution you can depend on. Contact our team today to schedule furnace repair and replacement services in the Greater Cincinnati area.