Why is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

What could be worse then turning on your furnace, anticipating the warmth and comfort it will provide, only to be blasted with cold air? Well, maybe it isn’t quite that bad, but it is still a huge inconvenience.  Luckily, there is likely a very simple solution to your heating problem.  Here are three of the most common reasons that a furnace will blow cold air:

1. Make sure to give it some time.  Often, the fan that distributed your heat will turn on before the air has had a chance to warm up, especially if you haven’t used your furnace in awhile.  Make sure to give it a few minutes to warm up before you start to panic.

2. If a few minutes have passed, and your furnace still hasn’t warmed up, the next step is to check the thermostat settings. Often, it’s the simplest solution that is most likely to fix your problem. Check that your thermostat is set to “ON,” “AUTO,” or “HEAT.” If your thermostat is set to “FAN” it will blow air without actually turning on the furnace.  Next, check the temperature setting and make sure that it is set to your desired level.

3. Lastly, check that your pilot light is lit and that your gas and electricity are functioning.  If your unit is unplugged, you’ve blown a electrical fuse, or your gas is turned off, your heating system will not function.  If you’ve verified that the gas and electric are working, then check your pilot and re-light it if necessary.

If you haven't yet solved your problem, you’ll want to contact a licensed HVAC technician to diagnose and repair your problem.  There could be a variety of causes that require an expert to service your heating unit.

For the premier heating and plumbing maintenance, repair, and installation service in Southeast, Michigan, contact the experts at Heaney Plumbing and Heating today and get a 10% discount on all labor costs!