If you’ve ever gone to turn on your furnace only to have it blow cold air, you know how frustrating it can be. Depending on where you live, the winter months can bring brutal conditions to many areas with sub-freezing temperatures. As a result, it is important that your home heating system operates at peak performance all winter long.
Unfortunately, a common problem during the winter is that homeowners discover their thermostat blowing cold air on heat. If this occurs, there is usually a problem with the thermostat or the furnace. There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot this issue and try to correct the problem. Let’s take a look at why you might be getting cold air when the heat is turned on.
Temperature and Thermostat Setting
Your thermostat could be calling for cold air because the temperature setting may not be high enough for heat mode. The thermostat may need to be set higher to activate the heat mode and produce heat in your home. You can check the temperature setting on your thermostat to ensure it is set high enough for heat mode. If it is not, you can adjust the temperature setting on your thermostat to increase the heat output and improve the heating performance in your home.
Your thermostat could also be set to “cool” mode instead of “heat” mode. This is a common issue if you are experiencing cold air blowing from your HVAC, despite your desire for heat. To fix this, check your thermostat settings to make sure it is in heat mode. If it is not, change the setting and see if that fixes the problem.
Ductwork Leaks
When your thermostat is set to heat mode, but you feel cold air blowing, it could be due to a number of factors. One reason may be that there are leaks in your ductwork that are causing cold air to enter the system. You can inspect the ductwork in your home for any leaks that may be causing the problem. If you find any leaks, you can seal them with caulk or duct tape. It is important to inspect your ductwork annually to check for issues. You can also include this as part of your annual HVAC service with a qualified technician.
Dirty Air Filter
Most people don’t think about their air filters until they start having problems with their HVAC system. Contrary to popular belief, air filters are not just there to keep your system clean, they also play a very important role in your comfort. When air filters are clean, they provide clean, fresh air for your home and help improve indoor air quality. However, when they’re dirty, your comfort could be in jeopardy. In fact, a dirty air filter can lead to a heater blowing cold air.
This is because a dirty air filter can impede airflow, which can cause your system to work harder than it needs to. This can lead to a number of problems, including a decrease in comfort and an increase in your energy bills. In order to avoid these problems, it’s important to make sure your air filters are cleaned on a regular basis.
Most experts recommend changing your air filters at least every three months. However, if you have pets or if you smoke, you may need to clean or change them more often. If you’re not sure how to take care of your air filters, your HVAC technician can help you out.
Furnace Issues
If your thermostat appears to be working correctly and your ductwork is in good shape, your furnace might be the cause of unwanted cold air blowing through the house. A furnace blowing cold air is not always a sign that the system is broken. In some instances, when a furnace is blowing cold air, it’s just a case of the system overheating. Now, this might sound like bad news but don’t worry, there’s a good reason for it. When a furnace overheats, there’s a safety feature that kicks in and shuts the system down. This is actually a good thing because it can prevent a fire, carbon monoxide leak, or even an explosion.
In some instances, the pilot light may have gone out on your older furnace. This could have happened for a number of reasons and can be fixed with a lighter. However, when the pilot light goes out, the fan will still come on and blow cold air through your home. Unfortunately, there are also some mechanical issues that could cause your furnace to produce cold air. If this is the case, you will probably require an HVAC professional to diagnose and remedy the issue.
Overall, it is important to have a working thermostat and furnace in order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. If your thermostat is allowing cold air to blow when it is set to heat, there are a few things that you can troubleshoot. Since heat can be essential during the winter months, however, it is important that you correct the problem as soon as possible.
