In the winter, your furnace is your best friend. It keeps your home warm, so all you need to do is cuddle under a blanket for optimum comfort. It’s easy to get used to. You run on the expectation that your furnace is going to be there for you when you need it. When your furnace starts acting up, however, it’s immediately apparent – especially when it starts blowing cold air instead of warm air. Arguably, the only thing worse than this is when you step into a shower, expecting hot water but get freezing water instead. We’ve got a few answers (and helpful tips!) to the question: Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
Answer 1: Your Furnace Needs a Minute
If you’ve just turned on your furnace for the first time this winter (bold move on your part, as it’s December), then your furnace is going to need a few minutes to warm up and start blowing hot air. Just as your shower needs a few minutes to warm up the hot water, your furnace needs a little patience on your end. If you’ve you been using your furnace throughout the fall and winter so far, but you turn it off during the times you don’t need it, your furnace will still need a few minutes to heat up. This is especially true if you have an older model.
Answer 2: Your Thermostat Is Set Incorrectly
Thermostats are tricky, and it’s easy to set them incorrectly. We’re not just talking about setting it to the wrong temperature (which is easier to do than you might think) or even setting your thermostat accidently to cool instead of heat. If you have your thermostat set to “on” instead of “auto,” you might think that your furnace will blow hot air constantly. Instead, your furnace will just be “on,” blowing cool air after it’s run out of hot air to circulate in your home. Be sure to set your thermostat to “auto,” so your furnace can turn off and rest when it’s not heating your home.
Answer 3: Your Air Filter Is Dirty
If you’ve been keeping up with our blog for a while, you may have recognized a partner: Your air filter impacts your HVAC unit’s efficiency more than you might realize. A dirty air filter keeps the air in your home from flowing properly, which can have further adverse effects like poor indoor air quality or a furnace blowing cold air. It’s best practice to change out your air filter between one and three months, but if you have pets or live in an area prone to dust storms, then you should change it every month.
So, Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?
The short answer – one that wraps all the answers up into one – is that your HVAC system needs maintenance services. There are a few things you can perform on your own, like changing out your air filter regularly and making sure your thermostat is set correctly, but there are some other things that only a professional can do for you. For pilot sensor cleaning, and more, call the experts at Action Air.
