When you set the thermostat to a higher temperature, you do so hoping the furnace kicks on without delays. The furnace should then send heated air through the ducts, which, in turn, heat the home. Unexpectedly, a furnace might give off cold air. Cold air won’t be much appreciated in the cold winter season. Scores of serious problems could result when a furnace doesn’t do its job, and that’s why a repair team needs to check things out when a furnace blows cold air.
Potential Disasters With Cold Air
When the furnace offers only cold air, a ripple effect of problems could occur. If the temperature outside is below freezing, then the interior will surely drop to similar levels unless a working furnace heats things back up. For persons residing in the home, the cold temperatures may prove unbearable or unsafe. Don’t expect homeowner’s insurance to cover lodging at a motel until the furnace undergoes a fix. In all likelihood, the insurance company would deem the problem a “routine maintenance” issue, which means resultant expenses aren’t covered.
There are even potentially worse situations that could arise when a furnace blows cold air. If the cold air problem arises while homeowners are away on vacation, no one inside the property knows the temperature is dropping outside. Pipes might freeze under such circumstances, leading to a disaster scenario if they burst. Take that as a good reason to look into the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart thermostat installations. At least you’d have a remote way of learning about the problem.
No matter what the situation turns out to be, homeowners must take immediate steps to address the problem. Hopefully, the issue is something minor and doesn’t require extensive repair work.
So, what could be some reasons for the furnace’s cold air issues?
1. Issues with the Fan Setting
Hopefully, the problem is nothing more than the issue of an incorrect fan setting. Touching the fan setting on the thermostat could create troubles if the setting goes from AUTO to ON. The ON setting will cause the fan to run, but the furnace might not generate any heat. Regardless, the fan will run and move cold air. By changing the setting to AUTO, the fan should start circulating hot air once again.
Hopefully, the setting issue is the only problem. If not, then it might become necessary to contact a repair professional. Residents living in or near Las Vegas, NV, could contact Polar Air & Heating, Inc. for assistance. Our team handles furnace repair, installation, and maintenance. We can also work on cooling systems.
2. Dirty Air Filter
If you don’t change the air filter on schedule, expect problems to arise. Air filters can and do fill up with dirt, dust, dander, and other debris. After an air filter suffers a severe clog, air can’t travel through the system efficiently. One potential problem is overheating. As a safety measure, furnaces come with a shut-off switch known as the high-limit switch. Once the heat exchanger gets too hot, the high-limit switch would hopefully work as expected. If not, then the heat exchanger may crack, necessitating costly repairs.
Changing the air filter could reduce the chances of other potential problems and contribute to better air quality. So, don’t delay on changing filters when the switch-out comes due.
3. Pilot Light Goes Out
The pilot light ignites the gas that funnels into the burners. When the pilot light goes out, there might be an easy way to turn it back on. Check the instructions that come with your make and model of furnace. Sometimes, doing little more than pushing an ignition switch reignites the pilot light. If the pilot light does not go back on, then there may be more complicated troubles present.
Problems may exist with the gas lines, the flame sensor, or the gas valve. A professional should inspect these components to see if any work is necessary. The ignition system might suffer from troubles, and the technician may need to replace it. You won’t know until a qualified professional takes a look.
Systems with electric ignition might experience similar problems. Again, you can’t speculate about the reasons for the troubles. A thorough inspection becomes necessary to figure out what’s wrong and what to do to reverse the problem.
4. Gas or Oil Issues
Issues with the gas lines might also hamper the furnace’s ability to generate warm air. Problems with the gas lines require attention, as gas leaks could prove extremely dangerous.
What about people who rely on oil? If the oil supply drops too low, then the furnace reacts accordingly; it won’t heat any air.
5. Issues with the Ducts
While out of sight and often out of mind, ducts play a vital role in heating the home. Hot air travels through the ducts with intentions of delivering even distributions of heat. Problems and imperfections could arise inside the ducts, which might drive down the air temperature. Holes in the ducts, for example, may allow cold air to enter and mix with the hot air. Now, cooler air ends up circulating through the home. Also, hot air may escape through holes in the ducts.
A thorough inspection and cleaning of the ducts may reveal holes or other problems. Once discovered, a team may go to work to seal the interior. Hopefully, the problem is not so pronounced that the ducts require a full replacement.
6. Dirt Buildup on the Burner
A furnace remains a massive, complex machine made up of an incredible number of parts. Neglecting any aspect of a furnace could lead to operational problems. Burners might not be the parts people think of when wondering about routine care, but they do require attention. When burners amass too much dirt or debris, they might not work as they should. So, the system ends up pumping out colder than expected air. Cleaning the burners or even replacing some of them might be the right solution.
Both cleaning and replacing work does benefit from the knowledgeable hand of a professional HVAC technician. Improper cleaning could damage the burner. Safety could end up compromised due to a faulty DIY job. Leaving this type of work to a professional HVAC team might be the best plan. And using a professional will likely keep any warranty you have intact.
Very Valuable Routine Service Benefits
It is worth pointing out that routine maintenance plans allow technicians to clean and inspect furnaces at set intervals during the year. Routine cleanings might prevent the burners from getting too dirty in the first place. The pre-scheduled visits also afford technicians the chance to look for other potential issues. We also continually train our technicians on any technological advances within our industry so that you can have confidence and peace of mind when you invite us into your home.
[Company_name] wants to help Las Vegas and surrounding residents keep on top of their heating and cooling work. We offer repair, installation, and maintenance for all brands of cooling systems as well. Our technicians hold NATE certifications, which may boost customer confidence. And did you know we also handle indoor air quality work? Contact our offices today for assistance on any heating or cooling issues that arise. We look forward to serving all of your indoor home comfort needs.
