The last thing you need on any cold winter day or night is a furnace blowing cold air. It is a definitive sign that something in your heating system is not working as it should. So should you panic? Most definitely not. Several reasons contribute to such a malfunction, but thankfully most of them are not worth losing your sleepover. Rational thinking is what you need at this time. The chances are you can solve the problem yourself or take help from a technician who will carry out some minor repair to rectify the situation.
Without knowing the facts, it can be hard to decipher the problem. Therefore, to make things easier, let us learn about the various reasons that could cause your furnace to blow cold air.
Reasons For Furnace Blowing Cold Air In West Palm Beach – Those You Can Handle
Here are some of the reasons that could result in your furnace blowing cold air in West Palm Beach:
1. The Furnace Is Yet To Become Warm – When you first switch on the furnace, it takes time to heat up or at least warm the air. The fan, however, starts circulating the air immediately. Since the furnace is not yet warm, the air passing through it is cold. Hence, when you switch on the furnace, you will feel cold air, which will become warm gradually. Give your heating system to become warm before assuming that something is wrong. Even after 10 or 15 mins if the air is still cold, you need to look for a fault.
2. Incorrect Thermostat Settings – If the thermostat says cool, how can the furnace provide heat? It needs a signal from the thermostat to initiate the heating process. On its own, the thermostat does not know when to kick in and when to shut off. Therefore, the first thing to check on the thermostat is that it is set on heating with the appropriate temperature setting. If that looks good, check the fan setting. It should be put on “Auto” and not “On.” The “Auto” setting indicates that the fan should start only when the furnace has become warm.
3. Dirty Air Filter – When the air filter becomes caked with dust or dirt, it restricts the flow of air to and from the furnace. Insufficient air to the heating system results in the furnace working long hours. This undue stress can result in overheating of the unit, which, in turn, translates into cold air blowing from the vents. Thus, you should always make it a point to check the condition of the air filter whenever there is any kind of airflow problem.
Other Causes Of Furnace Blowing Cold Air In West Palm Beach – Where You Need Help
Now let’s get down to those reasons where you will need an HVAC contractor’s assistance to correct the problem.
1. Weak Or No Pilot Light – Without ignition, there can be no heat, and without a strong pilot light or flame, there can be no ignition. Check where the pilot light is visible. It should be blue with a yellow tip. If it appears more yellow or is not visible at all, switch off the furnace and call your qualified local technician for help.
2. No Gas Supply – If there is no gas supply, the furnace will not start. There are only three possibilities. One, the gas company has temporarily switched off the supply. Two, someone in your home may have done, it or there is some blockage in the gas line. Therefore, check the gas valve first. It should be in an open position. If it is open, call your gas company to find out whether they have shut the supply. If their response is also negative, contact your trusted HVAC contractor.
3. Blockage In Condensate Line – Modern furnaces have a condensate line that allows flushing out the water that is generated during the heating process. If there is a blockage in the condensate line, it will prevent this water or condensate from draining outdoors. An inbuilt safety switch flips to avoid any damage to the heating unit. It prevents the burners from igniting. Once the blockage is removed from the line, your furnace will once again start working as before.
4. Leaking Ducts – Ducts are prone to developing cracks and holes. It may happen due to age, mishandling of the ducts, or infestation by pests, critters, and rodents. No matter the exact cause, cold air from the crawlspace and attic seeps in from the holes and lowers the temperature of the warm air. Hence, by the time the treated air from the furnace enters your home, it feels cold. You cannot repair the ducts by yourself. To do a proper job, you will first have to get the entire ductwork inspected by a professional. Once through with that, the technician will repair or replace the damaged portions.
Recap
To prolong the life of your furnace, you should always see to its maintenance. The annual maintenance will also resolve most problems that could make the furnace blow cold air. Despite that, if it still blows cold air, ensure that the air filters are clean and the thermostat setting is correct. In case that checks out fine, it is best to call your HVAC technician for help.
If your furnace is blowing cold air and you live in West Palm Beach, call the elite team of air experts at Aztil Air Conditioning. But before doing that, switch off your furnace to prevent any further damage. Now pick up the phone and call +1-888-729-8452. Our technicians will arrive promptly and take care of the issue. We are a team of well-trained and experienced technicians who can handle any situation thrown their way. When you partner with us, we guarantee complete customer satisfaction and quick resolution. We are open 24/7, and that includes all weekends and holidays so that you can reach out to us at any time. Contact us today to keep your home sung and cozy all winter long.
