Stopping a Broken Heater from Blowing Cold Air
Though a blast of cold air feels great in the summer, when the humidity is higher than most people can handle, it’s not so refreshing in the winter when temperatures start dropping below freezing. When it’s cold outside, the last thing people want is to have their heater blowing cold air at them too. There are a variety of reasons that can cause cold air to blow out of the heater.
The heater may be broken, or it just might have some incorrect settings. A few quick checks can help homeowners determine if they can fix the problem themselves with a little bit of troubleshooting or if they need to call a professional for assistance.
Homeowner: Ensure Furnace Settings are Correct
The first thing a homeowner should do when cold air starts blowing out of the heater is to check the furnace settings. First, check the fan settings. The fan controls the blower, and the blower is what circulates the air in the house.When the fan is set to “on,” the blower will run constantly, even when the furnace is not heating air, which can cause cold air to blow out of the heater. Change the fan setting to “auto.” This setting causes the blower to run only when the furnace is heating the air. The other item to check for when examining the furnace settings is the pilot light.
If the light is off, the furnace’s burners won’t light and there won’t be any heat produced. Relighting the pilot light can fix this issue. Ensuring that the furnace settings are correct and making adjustments if something is not correct is a task that a homeowner can do themselves with a bit of troubleshooting.
Professional: Fix an Overheated Heater
The heater may also be blowing cold air because of a much bigger issue. The heater may be overheated and is therefore no longer functioning properly. Cold air is one sign of this problem, but there are a few other signs to pay attention to.
A burning smell from the air vents, loud humming or unusual noises, or a complete shutdown of the furnace are also common signs of an overheating motor. To fix an overheated heater, it’s best to call an HVAC professional as the heater will likely need to be replaced.
Homeowner: Switch Out Dirty Air Filters
Believe it or not, simple maintenance can also do the trick to resolve cold air blowing from the heater. Dust and dirt can collect on air filters, which prevents the warm air from making its way through the house.Switching out dirty air filters regularly can help resolve the cold air problem, it prevents a fire hazard, and purifies the air in your home at the same time! But most people have one question when it comes to air filters:
How often do they need to be changed? It depends on the thickness of the filter. Thinner filters (1-inch or 2-inch filters) should be changed every 3 months. Thicker filters can last longer. For example, a 4-inch filter should be changed every 6 months, and a 5-inch should be changed once a year.
About LenAire, Inc.
At LenAire, Inc., their expertly trained technicians have the tools and dedication to service any HVAC system so that it runs flawlessly throughout the year. Whether customers need a new furnace installed, heat pump servicing, or central air conditioner repair, their friendly experts can provide the solution they need.
