When it is cold outside, the last thing you want is for your furnace to be blowing cold air. When it does, you most likely will take a look at the thermostat first, which is the best place to take a first look. This is also where professionals would start.
Eight common reasons why a heater or furnace will blow out cold air:
• Dirty air filter caused it to overheat
• Thermostat is bad
• Ductwork is no longer sealed and is leaking air
• Clogged ductwork
• Flame sensor is bad on oil furnace
• Thermocouple has gone bad
• A dirty flame sensor
• A dirty burner
If the fan switch on your thermostat has been switched to the ON position, it is going to continue to blow air. This will be continuous so that even after the air in the ducts has cooled significantly, it will still be blowing. Setting it to the AUTO position will enable it to only blow air when the furnace is on, and it will blow air that has already been warmed. Some thermostats are a lot more complex than they used to be, though, and you may need an expert to look at it. If your thermostat isn't the problem, there are a few other things you can check on your own.
Three issues you can check on your own to see why your heater is blowing out cold air include:
- The Pilot Light Has Gone Out: This is a common problem that can occur with gas furnaces. Of course, in order for your furnace to blow the hot air you want, it will be necessary to relight the pilot light. While this might be something that you could do yourself, it might be a good idea to have a professional take a look at your gas furnace at the same time in order to ensure that there are no other problems, too. This is very important if you discover that your pilot light does not stay lit. It could be that there is a slight gas leak in the line, which is not allowing enough pressure to build up to keep the pilot light going – and this could be a very dangerous situation. Or, there may not be any gas pressure in the line, possibly because the gas company is working on the gas pipeline somewhere and shut off the gas. It is also possible that the ignitor or another component that controls the gas pressure could be faulty.
- The Oil Filter Is Clogged on Your Oil Furnace: If you have an oil furnace, it is possible that you are not getting enough fuel from the tank into the burn chamber. It could shut down the fuel supply completely, or just reduce it. You will likely notice that the fire does not appear to be very high or hot – if the furnace is running at all. This can occur when the fuel is being restricted because of a clogged filter. Of course, it may also be that you have run out of oil, too, so you want to check it to make sure that that is not the problem. Getting your oil filter changed is a good time to have a Mobile area furnace repairman come and take a good look at your furnace to ensure that it is clean and running right. The filter can be changed, the parts inspected, and you can be sure that it will keep on running through the remainder of the season.
- A Faulty Electronic Ignition: Newer furnaces are more complex than older ones. Some of them have electronic ignition, and it is possible that it has malfunctioned. If there is a problem with it, a technician will have to come and check it for problems and then repair or replace it. Adjustments may also need to be made to ensure it is working in peak condition. If it is a new system, then it is also most likely under a warranty. If so, it will require being maintained by a licensed technician. You do not want to tamper with it and risk voiding the warranty on your new heating unit.
Get Your Heating Unit Serviced for Maximum Performance
There are many things that could go wrong on a furnace or HVAC unit. The best way to ensure that you have heat all winter long is to get a technician to come and look your unit over.
There are many things that could be adjusted to give your unit the peak performance you want it to have. When it is running as well as it should be, you also get to enjoy lower heating costs because of the greater efficiency. You can also sleep better at night because you know it will keep working.
Keeping your furnace clean and all of its components also enables your heater to work better. An HVAC or furnace service company in the Mobile region can come yearly and provide your unit with an inspection. This will enable them to discover components, motors or parts that are starting to go bad and replace them before they do. This helps you to be sure that you will have the heat you and your family want all winter long.
If components are allowed to actually fail, it may cause damage to other parts. This will end up costing you more than if you had replaced it earlier. Fixing or replacing components going bad will save you money in the long run.
Get an Annual Service Contract
The best time to have your unit serviced is in the warm months. Companies that work with furnaces and HVAC units are extra busy in the winter months, because people don’t realize that a furnace not maintained or cleaned may not run all winter long, especially in colder climates. It is best to have it checked and prepared in advance.
Problems with a furnace can often be spotted during a routine maintenance and cleaning. After talking with you about the best way to remedy the problem, and then doing the necessary work, you will have the confidence that your home will stay warm through the winter.
If you are tired of having a furnace that does not work quite like it should, feel free to call our offices and let our professional technicians help you. For quality services in your Mobile, AL home, contact Hembree Heating & Air Conditioning at (251) 259-4664.