It can be frustrating and concerning when your heater starts blowing cold air. Not to mention, it’s cold. However, this is an issue that is fairly common. The good news is that it doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a broken heater. In many cases, there are some simple things you can do to resolve this issue and get your furnace working again.
That said, there are times when this indicates an issue that needs to be dealt with by a technician. Here are some tips to help you figure out why your heater is blowing cold air and resolve it.
Step 1: Check the Furnace Settings
One easy fix for your heater blowing cold air is checking the furnace system settings. If your fan is set to “on,” the blower in your system will blow constantly. This means that it’s blowing air, even when the unit isn’t heating. As you can imagine, this causes cold air to circulate throughout your house.
You want your fan to be set to “Auto” so that it will only blow when it is heating and you will only have warm air blowing through your vents.
So, before worrying too much about your system, start by checking the furnace settings. It might be a quick and easy fix.
Step 2: Did Your Heater Overheat?
If your unit goes from blowing warm air to blowing cold air, it could mean that it overheated. While there are a number of reasons that this could happen, it often is a sign that your system is in need of replacement. If your unit is over 10 years old, making unusual noises, short-cycling or requiring frequent repairs, it could mean that it’s nearing the end of its lifespan.
If you notice any of these other issues and it overheats, you’ll want to have a professional check it out. They’ll be able to determine why it’s overheating and whether you’re in need of a new unit.
Step 3: Are your Air Filters Dirty
Another easy way to resolve this issue is to replace the air filters. If your filters are dirty, they restrict airflow in your system. If this issue is not resolved, it essentially suffocates your system and keeps warm air from flowing into your house. This is inefficient and bad for your unit.
The good news, however, is that it’s an issue that is easily fixed by simply replacing the air filter. The filters in your unit should be replaced at least every 90 days, which also keeps the air in your home purified. However, if your unit is blowing cold air, check the filters regardless of when they were replaced.
If it’s dirty, try replacing it and see if that resolves the issue. Hopefully, these tips will help you to deal with a heater that is blowing cold air. If they don’t or if you have any questions about your heater, contact a local HVAC tech for more advice and support.
Choose Reliability Home Services for Heating Solutions
Reliability Home Services provides superior plumbing, HVAC and drain cleaning services to the Dundalk area. Their team is committed to honesty, integrity, and quality in everything they do. They can help you diagnose the cause for your heating issues, and offer a quick and long-lasting solution.