Troubleshooting a Heating System Blowing Cold Air
Does your heating system kick on, but fails to produce heat? With winter just around the corner, a home without heat is a major cause of concern. If your home heating system has started blowing cold air, don’t panic, there are several culprits for this very common issue, and some of them you can even solve yourself.
Before calling in your local HVAC professional, consider these 4 HVAC troubleshooting tactics:
1. Check Your Thermostat’s FAN Setting
Is your system blowing air constantly? Does the air fluctuate between warm and cold? This could mean your thermostat’s fan is on the wrong setting.
If the fan is set to ON, it will continue to blow air even when your heat is off. Any air that blows through your vents while your heater is off will generally feel cold. Regardless of whether your heating system is heating the air or not, the fan on your heater will continuously run as long as the thermostat’s fan setting is set to ON.
Check your thermostat’s fan setting, and if it is set to ON, switch it to AUTO. Once you’ve restored it to the correct setting, your heat pump or furnace should blow warm air only. If the system continues to blow cold air, there could be a deeper issue with the thermostat itself, or another component of the heating system. Consider contacting a heating and cooling professional, that can assist with thermostat repair, replacement, and installation, and address any other remaining issues beyond the thermostat itself.
2. Check Your System’s Air Filter
On the left: A very dirty air filter completely clogged with dust and debris
On the right: A clean air filter
Often times the culprit for compromised heat function is as simple as a dirty air filter. Your furnace or heat pump system collects and traps dust and other debris as air circulates through your home. Over time, if not changed regularly, air filters will become clogged with debris. This limits air flow and drastically effects system performance; causing unnecessary strain and potentially irreversible damage.
Check your heating system’s air filters and change as needed. Air filters should be changed at least every 3 months, especially during peak-use times like winter. We recommend checking your air filters on a monthly basis for preventative measure.
3. Check the Condensate Line
Do you see water pooling around your high-efficiency furnace or heat pump’s indoor unit/air handler? This means your system’s condensate line may be clogged. When high efficiency furnaces and heat pumps run, they create water (also called condensate), which is disposed via a drain line. If this line gets blocked however, water backs up into the system, triggering an overflow kill switch which prevents water damage.
Common causes of condensate blockages includes dirt, dust, and mold. Aside from blockages, pooling water and cold air could be caused by a broken condensate pump. In this case, you will need an HVAC professional to repair or replace the pump. This is something we highly recommend leaving to a heating and cooling professional.
If it seems like the culprit is a clog, unclog the condensate drain by following this tutorial provided by Carrier.
Need furnace or heat pump repair in Stevensville, Annapolis, Bowie or surrounding areas? Give us a call at Chesapeake Comfort Systems. We’re a Top Rated Residential and Light-Commercial HVAC Contractor offering a variety of heating and cooling services with exceptional quality and competitive pricing.
4. Check the Pilot Light (Furnaces Only)
If you have an older furnace with a standing pilot light, the light may have gone out and needs to be relit. If the pilot light isn’t lit, then your furnace’s burners won’t ignite, which means no heat.
If you notice your pilot light has gone out, you can certainly call in a professional if relighting it makes you uncomfortable, but if you would like to try it relighting it yourself, it can be done in just a few simple steps. Check out this quick and precise tutorial on how to relight a pilot on a furnace by Gray Furnace Man on Youtube.
PLEASE NOTE: Before doing ANYTHING, make sure you turn off your furnace for safety. This can be done via your thermostat by switching the thermostat from HEAT to OFF.
Live in the Chesapeake Bay Area? We’re Here to Help.
If you tried to solve the problem yourself and had no luck, it’s time to bring in the pros. Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a reliable, professional HVAC contractor you can trust. Your comfort is our #1 priority. With a passion for service coupled with an extensive knowledge in the industry, we pride ourselves on offering the very best quality and value in heating and cooling service.
From our kind and caring office staff to our professional technicians with years of HVAC expertise, Chesapeake Comfort Systems is a clear choice for your heating and cooling service needs.
If your home is located in one of our many Service Areas, then Contact Us today to schedule a service visit.