Your furnace is on, but is the room still chilly? Or worse, is it blowing cold air instead of hot? It is a big winter concern, especially in South Carolina. We will list common reasons why your furnace is not blowing hot air. Also, we will give you repair tips.
4 Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Not Blowing Hot Air
You must know exactly what is wrong before calling furnace repair services. It may be as simple as resetting your thermostat or as serious as a blockage.
Dirt Build-up
Have you ever cleaned your furnace’s air filters? If yes, when was the last time you did it? If you left it too long, it can be one reason your furnace is not blowing hot air. You must clean them often so they can absorb all the cold air in your room.
Dirty filters mean less cold air absorption, which in turn causes less hot air to be released in the room, making your place less warm.
Pro tip: Change filters every six months.
Alternatively, your flame sensor might be dirty. If the furnace is:
- Short cycling
- Producing yellow flames
- Emitting weird smell
You should clean or replace your flame sensor. Otherwise, it may shut the system down completely because it won’t be able to detect a burning flame.
Not Enough Fuel
Is your furnace not blowing warm air because of low gas?
You should check if you need to refill your gas tank. Or, your gas valve may be dirty or broken.
Pro tip: Clean the gas valve and the whole furnace once a year. This will prolong the system’s life.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
It is the most common blunder that people make. Actually, it is the first thing you must check before moving on to furnace repair. Check your thermostat’s:
- Fan settings. It will blow cold air if it is “On” only. Set it to “Auto” to blow hot air at regular intervals.
- Temperature regularly. Others may change its temperature according to their liking.
- User manual again. Did you replace the batteries? Did you install it correctly (If you DIYed it)?
- Wiring. It may be faulty or broken.
Remember, poor thermostat maintenance is another reason your furnace is not blowing hot air. As a result, you feel cold.
Clogged Burner
It can be a sign of poor maintenance. The furnace’s burner can clog because it wasn’t cleaned more often, or perhaps never.
If it is blocked due to dirt, it cannot light up because the gas cannot reach it. The warming-up system cannot work.
However, the fan doesn’t stop. As a result, it keeps blowing cold air instead of hot.
Quick Furnace Repair Tips
You might be surprised at how much time and effort you can save with regular checks:
- Check thermostat settings regularly if your furnace is not blowing hot air. Just give it a casual glance as you walk by.
- Don’t clean the flame sensor with sandpaper. Use a soft brush or emery cloth. Its texture is a bit different.
- Clean the air filters every month so they continue working flawlessly.
- Save the contact details of an efficient and thorough furnace repair service. Call them for an expert check or if you think there is a major fault.
FAQs
Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air When the Heat Is on?
Your furnace blows cold air when the heat is on because of a dirty air filter, a clogged burner, or wrong thermostat settings. The cold air from your room cannot enter through the filters thoroughly. Also, hot air cannot get out completely.
As a result, your HVAC gets insufficient air to heat up. Cold air remains in the room, and you feel chilly.
How do I Fix my Furnace Not Blowing Air?
You can fix it by checking the furnace filters, circuit breakers, and the blower fan.
Besides that, check your thermostat. You should set it at a reasonable temperature, so you don’t have to change it repeatedly.
What are the Symptoms of a Dirty Flame Sensor?
Common symptoms of a dirt flame sensor are: It doesn’t blow heat, you see yellow flames, or the sensor has soot build-up. Also, your furnace may short cycle, and you may hear popping or clicking sounds. Finally, you receive higher electricity bills than usual.
Conclusion
You may feel cold and frustrated if your furnace is not blowing hot air. Your thermostat settings might be off, or the air filters may need cleaning. In any case, you can call (803) 855-2359 to book the earliest visit.