Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?

Is your heater giving you the cold shoulder? Figuring out why your furnace is blowing cold air can be a tricky process because there are several issues that can cause this problem. Many heater issues do require professional assistance, but you may be able to pinpoint the issue yourself to assist the technician. Here are a few troubleshooting strategies that you can use the next time your heater seems to be blowing cold air.

Give It a Few Minutes

When you turn on your faucet, hot water doesn’t immediately come out. The same logic can be applied to your heating system. Wait a couple of minutes after you turn your heater on. It can take a bit of time for the freshly-heated air to travel through the ductwork into your home, especially after just arriving home and turning the system on. After a few minutes, you may find that the furnace is working just fine. If this isn’t the case, let’s move onto the next item to check.

Check Your Thermostat

Another simple solution to your heater problem may involve your thermostat. Be sure that the thermostat is set to a temperature that’s higher than the current temperature of your home. Sometimes one person at home sets the thermostat to a certain temperature, but another person will then change it because they’re too hot or too cold. It’s also smart to check the batteries in your thermostat. If you see a faded display of numbers, chances are the batteries are low and causing your thermostats to perform incorrectly. If your heater is getting incorrect temperature inputs from a malfunctioning thermostat, it can cause cold air to come out instead of heated air.

Check Your Pilot Light

This troubleshooting tactic won’t apply to you if you have an electric heater. However, if you’re experiencing cold air coming from your heater and you have a gas furnace, it’s worth checking your pilot light. If you’re unable to light the pilot light or it won’t stay lit, call the professionals at Triple-T Plumbing Heating & Air for quick and effective assistance.

Inspect the Filter

An oil furnace has a special filter that prevents contaminants from getting into the heating system and causing problems. If this filter gets clogged, it can starve your furnace of its fuel source. Fortunately, replacing the filter is an easy and inexpensive fix. Performing regular filter changes will prevent clogs in the future and keep your oil furnace running smoothly.

Consider the Ductwork

If your furnace is blowing cold air, the problem may not be related to the heater itself. A less obvious cause of this issue may be the ductwork. Over time, ducts experience the same wear and tear as the rest of your heating system, and leaks can occur. Your heater may start out blowing warm air, but if there is a tear or an opened seal in your ductwork, the warm air could be blown into another room, into the attic, and so on. It would be traveling somewhere else instead of the desired room of comfort.

Using these troubleshooting tactics can be helpful if your heater is blowing hot air; however, if you continue to have problems, it’s best to call the professionals. At Triple-T Plumbing Heating & Air, we have nearly five decades of experience. Contact us for a service appointment– our knowledgeable technicians will make sure your home stays cozy and comfortable all year long.