What To Do If My Heater is Blowing Cold Air?

The last thing you want to experience during the winter season is turning on your heater only for it to blow cold air. And it even feels more worrying if you don’t know how to diagnose the problem and get things running again.

In most cases, you will need the assistance of a qualified heater technician to help diagnose the problem. However, the good news is that in some instances, the issue can be small and simple, implying that you can be able to fix yourself.

There are a number of things that might force your heater to blow cold air and this simply means to correctly solve the issue, you’ll have to first identify the root cause. Below are some common heater problems that are likely to make your unit to blow cold air and how you can troubleshoot them.

1. Clogged air filter:

How often do you change your heater’s air filter? If you have not done so since the last summer, the chances are only high that it is clogged and this can lead to your heater blowing cold air.

Your heater’s air filter is responsible for trapping dust, debris, as well as dirt as the air, passes through your system and ductwork. As the air moves through the exchanges and into the gas chamber, it must move through the filter. But, clogs and excess dirt can make it difficult for the air to properly enter the chamber where it gets heated. As a result, the air will likely come out without getting properly warmed up.

To verify if this is actually the problem, pull out the air filter and see if it is dark in color as a result of being covered with dirt. Replacing the dirty filter with a new one should be enough to solve the issue. Of course, if you are not sure about anything, don’t hesitate to seek the assistance of a qualified HVAC repair professional!

2. Thermostat setting issue:

Examining your thermostat setting should always be the first thing to turn to anytime your heater misbehaves. If you recently installed a programmable thermostat without the help of a qualified heater service expert, the chances are high that you didn’t do it correctly. Also, you may have chosen a thermostat that is not compatible with your heater. You’ll have to consult an HVAC expert.

And if the thermostat has been working for a while, its battery might run out of energy. There are also possibilities that you have accidentally turned the thermostat to cool. So, examine your thermostat to ensure everything is fine and if you are not sure, call your local heater maintenance professional for assistance.

3. The pilot light might have gone out:

If you have a fairly older furnace, then it could be possible that its pilot light might have gone out. While the latest heating and cooling units are equipped with electronic pilot lights that won’t go out, older versions don’t. And if your heater is more than ten years old, you’ll have to examine its pilot light.

And if you can safely access the pilot light, go through your owner’s manual to determine how to light it. Of course, if the pilot light won’t stay lit, contact your local heater repair specialist to take a closer look.

4. Leaking ducts:

When your heater is blowing cold air instead of hot, there is a possibility that the heated air could be escaping through the holes in your ductwork. Over time, ducts undergo the same wear and tear as the rest of the components of your heating and cooling unit. Your furnace could be blowing warm air, however, if there are holes in the ductwork, this how air will only be blown into your attic, or somewhere else. You should have a heater service expert inspect your ducts as well as the heater. Don't worry! We are here to help you. Call us on 1300 100 040.