It’s dangerous to be exposed to extremely low temperatures. For this reason, you run your heating system, which delivers heated air throughout your home. But what are you going to do when it blows cold air?
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your preferred heating company in Columbia Heights MN. We can help you determine the problem and make the necessary repairs, restoring your comfort in no time.
Here are the most common reasons your furnace fails to release warm air.
Thermostat
The thermostat tells your furnace what to do — to lower or increase the temperature — depending on your preferences. However, it is possible that the thermostat is improperly set, causing the furnace to distribute cold air instead of warm. For example, if somebody in your household mistakenly set the fan setting from AUTO to ON. When this happens, the fan will run uninterruptedly without giving off heat. Therefore, you should reset it to AUTO to get back the heat. If the problem is resolved, you just saved yourself the cost of a service call. Hurray!
Overheating
If your furnace turns itself on and off too frequently, it is probably overheating. Also known as “short cycling”, this issue happens when certain parts are dirty such as the air filter and blower. Blocked vents and a broken gas valve can also cause your furnace to overheat. This problem diminishes your system’s efficiency, resulting in higher energy bills.
If it’s a clogged filter, you are probably more than capable to replace it yourself. Sometimes, overheating issues can be resolved simply by cleaning or replacing the filter. However, if the problem seems more complex, such as a gas valve issue or a blower problem, it’s best to call a qualified professional to apply appropriate measures.
Pilot Light
The pilot light is an essential part of your furnace, which starts the unit. When it fails to do its job, you will have no heat. If your pilot light goes out, check the thermocouple, a device that shuts off the gas when the flame goes out. If you notice that it is filled with soot or looks damage, call a qualified technician for repair. This part is a sensitive component and requires professional training.
Flame Sensor
Your furnace has a safety device that ensures gas is being burned and not escaping into the vent system. It is the flame sensor. It detects when a flame is burning inside the burner assembly. If no flame is detected, it shuts off the furnace to keep unburned gas from escaping into the vent system or chimney. This means no heated air for your home.
Sometimes, cleaning the flame sensor does the trick. To do this, you must turn off your furnace. Then, open the combustion chamber, locate the sensor, then clean it with light-grit sandpaper. Restart your furnace. This should solve the issue. But if the problem persists, call your trusted HVAC professional.
Ductwork
If you have central air, your furnace releases heated air via the ducts and if there are any leaks or cracks anywhere within the network, your furnace will not transport warm air.
These tiny openings will draw cold air that blends with heated air, which compromises your home’s overall temperature. Serious duct issues can cause you to lose heated air completely.
The regular maintenance of your ducts is an important aspect of ensuring a hassle-free operation of your furnace. But such a task may be too disconcerting for someone who does not have the right knowledge and tools, so it’s best to leave this job to an HVAC professional.
Electrical
Even if you have a gas-fired unit, it still needs electricity to operate. So, electrical issues like a tripped breaker or wiring problems can cause your furnace to malfunction. Your heating system won’t even start due to a tripped circuit breaker.
An effective way to solve this problem is by resetting the breaker. This step usually fixes the problem. However, if nothing happens, contact a heating specialist as this could indicate a more serious problem.
Need Help? Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning
If your furnace is blowing cold air instead of warm, try these steps. But if the problem seems too complicated for you, give us a call. Our teams of NATE-certified HVAC professionals can spot the problem and restore your heat. Through the years, we have been the prime Blaine furnace repair company.