WHY IS YOUR FURNACE BLOWING COLD AIR?
When a furnace is working properly, it should keep us warm by blowing warm air. Have you ever felt cold air coming out of the vents? If so, there could be a quick fix you can do yourself, or you may need to call in the professionals. Here are some furnace troubleshooting tips, the most common causes of “cold air” and what you can do to resolve them:
THE FURNACE HASN’T WARMED UP
It’s totally normal for a furnace to blow cold air right after it comes on. It has to push the cold air from the vents before the warm air makes its way through. Think of it like the hot water at your kitchen sink. It probably takes a moment to get warm when you first turn it on. So as long as the furnace starts blowing warm air after a minute or two, you are good to go. If the air stays cold, however, it’s time to schedule a service call to have the problem professionally diagnosed and repaired.
YOUR UNIT’S FAN IS SET TO “ON”
If there’s a constant flow of cool air coming from your furnace, check your thermostat to see if the unit’s fan is set to “on” or “auto.” When the thermostat’s fan setting is set to “on” the blower is constantly running, even when the furnace isn’t heating the air. By switching the thermostat to “auto,” the fan will only blow when the furnace is heating the air.
THE FLAME SENSOR IS DIRTY
Newer, pilotless ignition furnaces use a flame sensor to keep the furnace burning once it starts. If the flame sensor is dirty, your furnace will turn on and begin heating but then turn cold relatively quickly. If you’re familiar with furnace components, you can clean the flame sensor yourself. Better yet, hire a professional to have the whole unit cleaned and serviced to ensure smooth operation for the rest of the winter.
THE PILOT LIGHT IS OUT
If your gas furnace is older and it’s blowing cold air, chances are its pilot light has gone out. Only if you are comfortable doing so, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to re-light it safely. If you aren’t comfortable lighting the pilot or can’t get to it easily, call a professional. If the pilot light won’t stay lit, there could be a problem with the thermocouple (the copper rod that the pilot flame hits) and it may need to be adjusted or replaced.
THE AIR FILTER IS CLOGGED
Dirty air filters are a problem because they restrict airflow to the furnace. Restricted airflow can cause your furnace to run and run until it overheats. And when your furnace overheats, it will only blow cold air. The solution is to replace your dirty air filter with a clean one. Once airflow to the furnace is no longer blocked, your furnace will be less likely to overheat and should function normally.
Still having problems? The cold air coming from your furnace could be due to a malfunctioning circuit board, damaged ductwork, a faulty igniter, or any number of more serious problems. These are issues your HVAC professional can easily address.
MONTHLY PLUMBING TIP: 3 SUPER EASY WAYS TO PREVENT FROZEN PIPES
1. Open all your faucets (both hot and cold) to a steady drip. It may seem like a waste of water, but it’s only for a short time and well worth it to prevent water damage to your home.
2. Open the doors under your sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing
3. And perhaps most often overlooked, disconnect outdoor hoses. You can also install inexpensive faucet covers on outdoor faucets. You’ll find them at your local home improvement store
If you have specific questions, visit us online at www.AssuredComfort.com or email brandeem@assuredcomfort.com.
Author: Jerry Hall
Company: Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing
www.AssuredComfort.com
About Assured Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing:
Assured Comfort Heating, Air, Plumbing is a leading heating, air conditioning and plumbing company with locations in Fulton County, Cobb County and Douglas County that services the metro Atlanta and surrounding cities.
Family-owned since 2002, Assured Comfort is committed to providing not only the best in HVAC and plumbing services, but also supporting the local community. Our team abides by the following principles:
1. Helping people to live in greater safety and comfort.
2. Giving back to the community.
3. Safety first.
4. Delivering WOW service.
5. Being a great place to work.
We are members of the Cobb County, Douglas County and Paulding County Chambers of Commerce.
Jerry Hall, owner of Assured Comfort, is a member of both the Douglas County and Cobb County Chamber Chairman’s Clubs.
Jerry also serves on the board of the Douglas County Public Education Trust. Every year, Assured Comfort sponsors the Fox Hall Family Festival in Douglas County, which is the largest fundraiser for Douglas County schools.
Email: jerry@assuredcomfort.com
Phone: 404-348-7522
