Here in the Salt Lake City area, we’re usually pretty tired of the cold weather by now. No matter how you get to and from work, your commute probably ends with a walk in the frigid cold. Most of us are eager to get inside a warm space, and the last thing we want to find is the furnace blowing cold air or not heating properly! No one wants to have a furnace repair in the dead of winter.
The best thing you can do is have a furnace tune-up as soon as possible. We usually recommend a fall pre-season furnace repair or tune-up so you are ready when the cold weather hits. If you haven’t had your furnace tuned up yet for the winter season, no worries. There is still time to have your annual furnace maintenance done.
Need A Furnace Repair Company?
Things can go wrong even if your furnace is fairly new. There is a chance you may be able to fix the problem yourself, but it’s important to know when to call a furnace repair company. You don’t want to have to waste time in the cold or interrupt your business or life at home. The longer you are without heat, the bigger the risk of frozen pipes. We have come up with the most common reasons your furnace may be blowing cold air and when to call a furnace repair company. If you notice any of the following issues and you are not able to fix them yourself, you’ll want to call a furnace repair company right away:
Most Common Reasons Your Furnace is Blowing Cold Air
1. INCORRECT INSTALLATION OR SETTING
Have you installed a new thermostat lately? You may have purchased a thermostat that’s not compatible with your furnace system. You’ll want to call a Salt Lake City HVAC company for help. You could also check the batteries if it’s been a while since the thermostat was installed. Could there also be a chance someone switched the thermostat fan setting to ON instead of AUTO if they got too hot? This means the fan will run continuously without putting out heat. Simply change the setting back to AUTO and count your blessings since you were able to avoid an expensive furnace repair.
2. FUEL TANK IS EMPTY
If you live in an older home chances are you have an oil-fired furnace and you could be out of fuel. If this is true, your blower could be circulating cold air even if the burners are failing to light or produce heat.
3. ELECTRONIC CONTROLS PROBLEM
You may need to reset the system if you have a newer furnace with an electronic control panel. You’ll want to turn the power switch off on your furnace, then turn it back on after a few minutes. This is similar to doing a reboot on your computer to fix a problem. Once you’ve tried this and your furnace is still blowing cold air, give the furnace pros a call.
4. FURNACE IS OVERHEATED
When was the last time you changed your filter? If you haven’t changed your filter lately, a clogged filter can limit airflow and overheat your furnace. This will cause the burner to shut down and the furnace will no longer blow warm air. If this is the issue, changing the air filter and restarting the furnace could be a quick fix. If not, you’ll want to call your local HVAC Company.
5. PILOT LIGHT MAY BE OUT
If your furnace is older it could have a continuous pilot light and the pilot may have gone out. You can try relighting the pilot yourself if you know how and you are comfortable doing it. If you’re not, call a professional furnace repair tech. Generally, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. VALVE PROBLEM
If you have tried to relight the pilot and it won’t light, the problem could be a faulty gas valve. Or, sometimes dirt and debris can cause the valve to stick if your system hasn’t been cleaned for a while. You will want to have your system checked by an HVAC company. They can determine whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
7. THERMOCOUPLE IS FAULTY
If you are able to relight the pilot and it keeps going out, a faulty thermocouple is most likely to blame for your furnace blowing cold air. The thermocouple is a sensor that controls the gas valve and ignition. This is usually a simple fix, but you’ll need to call a technician to adjust or replace it.
8. OIL FILTER IS CLOGGED
Your filter can become clogged with debris if you have an oil-fired furnace, just like the air filter can on a gas-fired system. When an oil filter gets clogged, the ignition can be affected. This results in your heating not blowing hot air. You can clean or replace the filter yourself if you know how, but you may want to leave this job to a professional since it’s messy and not as easy as an air filter.
9. ELECTRONIC IGNITION IS FAULTY
If you have a fairly new furnace with electronic ignition, your system may need to be adjusted or have failed parts replaced- such as a hot surface ignition or an intermittent pilot light. These problems will require an HVAC repair technician to visit your home.
10. COMPROMISED FLAME SENSOR
If your furnace blows warm air and then quickly turns cold, the flame sensor may need to be checked. If the flame sensor is worn out or covered in grease and dirt, it can cause the burner to continuously shut off. An HVAC technician will need to perform this furnace repair.
11. DIRTY OIL OR GAS BURNER.
If the furnace burner itself has accumulated dirt and grime, this can cause ignition problems. To take care of this issue, you will want to have your system cleaned by a professional.
12. HOLES IN DUCTS
Cold air blowing through the ducts could be caused by hot air escaping through holes in the ductwork. Have an expert inspect your ducts as soon as possible.
Get Regular Maintenance & Furnace Repair
Many furnace problems can be prevented with regularly-scheduled maintenance. If you haven’t had a furnace tune-up this winter, rely on one of the best HVAC services around, Utah HVAC Experts! We can help keep your system in the best shape and prevent heating emergencies. Prevent your furnace from blowing cold air & other HVAC Problems today by calling (801) 930-0629
If you are worried about pricing, our service technicians can customize a plan that fits your budget and your needs. Rely on Utah’s top heating service today for your furnace repair- we’re ready to help!
