Simple Problems That May Make Your Furnace Blow Cold Air
You might think that a disastrous malfunction has affected your furnace if the furnace runs but blows cold air. In many cases, however, the issue is a relatively simple problem that you can solve without the involvement of a professional. Here are some of these simple problems.
Clogged Air Filter
A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the furnace, and a furnace with a restricted airflow can easily overheat. An overheated furnace can easily break down and is also a fire hazard. Thus, furnace manufacturers include a safety control device that shuts off the burners if the filter is dirty and the furnace is about to overheat.
Thus, the solution to your lack of heat might be as simple as a change of air filter. This solution is even more likely to work if you haven't replaced the air filter in a long time, which means the filter is relatively dirty.
No Pilot Light
In a gas-powered furnace, the pilot light provides the high temperatures necessary to ignite the fuel. Without a pilot light, the gas won't ignite, and your furnace won't produce any heat. Several things can blow off your pilot light:
The pilot light may go off if its orifice is dirty.
The pilot light may go off due to a strong draft.
The pilot light may go off if the thermocouple - this shuts off the gas supply in case the pilot light goes off - has malfunctioned.
The solution here depends on the reason for the pilot light blow off. In some cases, you need to relight the pilot light to solve the problem.
Poor Thermostat Setting
The thermostat senses the room temperature and sends the information to the main board of the furnace. The signals from the thermostat instruct the furnace to continue heat production or turn off active heating. For example, once your room temperature has risen to the required temperature, the thermostat will signal the furnace to turn off active hating.
An incorrect setting in the thermostat may send the wrong signals to the furnace and interfere with heating. For example, if someone sets the thermostat fan to ON, the furnace won't heat your house. You will get heat again if you change the setting to AUTO.
Inadequate Fuel
Your furnace needs fuel to produce heat; the fuel is usually natural gas or oil. Thus, low fuel supply can make your gas furnace blow cold. Here are some of the reasons your furnace might not get adequate fuel:
The natural gas supply is low - supply fluctuates with demand in a given area.
The gas regulator has malfunctioned, the gas pressure is low, and you have multiple gas appliances. Your oil tank is empty - for those who use oil-powered furnaces.
You could reset the gas regulator or replace your oil tank and get your furnace to produce heat again if those were the only issues. As for low gas supply, contact your utility service provider if the problem persists for a while.
Clogged Condensate Line
The combustion process that produces heat in the furnace produces steam - that condenses to water - as one of its byproducts. The furnace's condensate line channels the condensed water out of the furnace for safe drainage.
Too much condensation in the furnace is a safety risk. Thus, many furnaces have safety switches that turn off the burners if the condensate line is clogged and the condensation can't drain out. Clean the condensate line, and your furnace will produce heat again.
Hopefully, you won't have to deal with major problems if your furnace starts to blow cold air. However, Comfort Solutions can help you diagnose and fix all furnace problems whether they are relatively simple or complicated. Contact us with all your furnace issues, and we will give you prompt service.
