You turn on your furnace when you want to warm your home. But, if something is wrong with the furnace, it may start blowing cold air instead of producing warm air. When this happens, you may instantly begin to wonder what is going on. Unfortunately, there are many reasons a furnace may be blowing cold air, ranging from simple fixes to your furnace needing to be replaced. Read on to find out why your furnace may be blowing cold air and what needs to be done to solve the issue. 

Common Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

One of the most common reasons why your furnace may be blowing cold air is because your thermostat is not set correctly or because there is an issue with the thermostat, such as a low battery. This is one of the easiest issues to solve. Another simple issue to solve is problems with the electronic controls. Just like your phone or computer may occasionally go on the fritz for no reason, so too may your furnace. Resetting the electronic controls may solve your issue and get your unit working again. An extinguished pilot light or low oil may also cause cold air to come into your home. Some of the more complex reasons why your furnace may be blowing cold air include a valve problem, faulty thermocouple, clogged oil filter or a compromised flame sensor. 

Troubleshooting a Problematic Furnace

If your furnace is not blowing warm air, the first thing you should do is ensure your thermostat is set to the correct temperature setting and is working correctly. From there, ensure your furnace is connected to a power source, such as gas or ample oil, and that the pilot light is lit. If that is not the problem, try replacing the air filter in your unit. You have to turn your unit off to do this, so reset the unit before turning it back on to rule out electronic glitches. At this point, if your unit is still not working, you have a bigger problem, and it is time to call in a professional.

Steps to Take If You Are Unable to Solve the Issue Yourself

If you have tried to troubleshoot the easy fixes for a furnace blowing cold air and have not been successful, it is time to call in a professional to help you. A professional can inspect your furnace and determine if deep cleaning may be needed to correct clogs that may be preventing air from heating up or if you need repairs done to fix larger problems, such as replacing a worn valve or a thermocouple that is at the end of its lifespan. 

If your furnace is blowing cold air or is not blowing any air at all, you may need to call in a professional to diagnose the problem and repair it. At Action Heating and Air Inc., we are heating and cooling experts who can help you get your HVAC, furnace or air conditioner running again, any day and any time. Call us today to schedule an appointment.