Are you wondering why a furnace blows cold air? As the trusted provider of furnace repair services in Rincon, GA, Georgia Air Cooling & Heating provides furnace troubleshooting that always finds a solution.
From Hickory Knob Subdivision to Sweigoffer Creek, we offer superior service that always leaves you satisfied. Keep reading to discover how we can troubleshoot your cold furnace air.
How Your Furnace Works
When you understand how furnaces work, you’ll gain a better understanding of what can go wrong. When your thermostat senses ambient air with a lower temperature than your thermostat setting, it sends a signal to activate your furnace. The control board inside the furnace receives the signal and ignites the heating system.
In a gas furnace, the ignition occurs when the gas valve opens to allow fuel to enter the furnace chamber. In an electric furnace, the electricity warms a series of coils. The cold air passes over the ignition point, warming up.
The byproducts of the heating process exit your home through the exhaust vent. The conditioned air passes through your air filter and into your ductwork. From there, the blower fan distributes it throughout your home.
8 Reasons Your Rincon Furnace Blows Cold Air
If you’re wondering why a furnace blows cold air, ask an HVAC professional to troubleshoot the following issues.
1. Thermostat Issues
If you’re dealing with a furnace not heating in Rincon, the problem may reside with your thermostat. Several things can lead to a malfunctioning thermostat, including the following:
- When your thermostat reaches an old age, it can stop working, and you should replace it.
- If your thermostat has a dirty sensor or becomes miscalibrated, it can’t properly read the ambient temperature.
- If you set your thermostat fan to “on” rather than “auto,” your furnace may constantly blow air without heating it first.
- When curtains or furniture block your thermostat, it can prevent the sensor from reading the temperature properly.
- Sometimes all you need is a new set of batteries in your thermostat.
To determine if your thermostat is the problem, try adjusting the settings and seeing if that affects the heating cycle. An HVAC technician can provide thermostat troubleshooting.
2. Faulty Control Circuit Board
When you feel cold air from furnaces, you may have a faulty control circuit board. This component communicates between your thermostat and the furnace. When it malfunctions, it may turn on certain components, like the blower fan, without opening the gas valve or activating the ignitor.
Your control board can fail if you have dirt build-up or water leaking. If you have a heater blowing cool air, you should call a professional immediately to determine the issue.
3. Pilot Light or Ignition Issues
Some gas furnaces still use pilot lights, though newer models don’t. If the pilot light goes out, it can’t ignite the gas. This can happen when it builds up dirt or as the device ages.
Dirt can affect the ignitor in electrical furnaces, or if you have a power issue, the electricity may not heat the coils. Cleaning your furnace should help, but whether you require that or a diagnostic, you should rely on an HVAC specialist.
4. Lack of Fuel
If you have a gas furnace in Rincon, it may not receive the amount of fuel it needs. This can happen if you have a leak, a blockage in your gas line, or the utility company isn’t delivering enough gas.
Electrical furnaces face their own problems. Faulty wiring may trip your circuit breaker or prevent your control board from activating the furnace. Only an HVAC specialist should handle gas and electrical problems.
5. Dirt on the Flame Detector
The flame detector on your furnace senses a flame in your gas furnace. This tells the control board it can safely open the gas valve and start heating your home.
If the component doesn’t identify an active flame, it won’t open the gas valve. This safety feature prevents unused gas from leaking into your home, which can cause a catastrophic explosion.
However, if the sensor malfunctions or accumulates dirt, it can malfunction and fail. The furnace will err on the side of safety and not activate.
You could try cleaning the flame detector yourself, but you could unintentionally cause more damage. A certified technician can help you determine if it needs a simple cleaning or if you must replace the component.
6. Air Filter Debris Build-Up
Debris can build up anywhere in your furnace, but your air filter remains the most susceptible furnace. All the air that circulates through your home passes through the air filter, which can remove nearly 100% of pollutants.
When the air filter becomes blocked, it can cause a wide range of problems with your furnace, including:
- Reduced airflow and lukewarm or cold air
- Overheating
- Higher levels of pollutants in the air
- More frequent repairs and shorter furnace life expectancy
Thankfully, changing your air filter is one of the furnace repairs you can safely complete yourself. If that doesn’t fix the issue, you have a larger problem you’ll need professional help with.
7. Clogged Condensate Line
Your furnace produces condensation as a byproduct of the heating process. In a working furnace, this water exists in your home through the condensate line. However, this line remains vulnerable to clogs.
A clogged condensate line can drip water into your home or damage other components like your control circuit board. The most common signs this is causing your problem include a musty or moldy smell, water leaking from your furnace, and increased humidity in your home.
8. Damaged Ductwork or Fan
If you have an HVAC cold air problem, you may have furnace blower issues or problems with your ductwork. A broken fan motor means the ductwork can’t distribute the air through your home before it cools down.
Damaged ductwork can also lead to cold air circulating throughout your home. Small cracks, tears, or holes reduce the duct insulation and allow cold air from the attic or basement to mix with the heated air traveling through your ducts. Your HVAC technician can determine the quality of your ductwork and determine the best method for repairing or replacing it.
Caring for Your Furnace
If you want to avoid searching for information about why a furnace blows cold air in Rincon, Georgia, follow these furnace maintenance tips.
Annual Maintenance
The best habit you can practice for your furnace is scheduling annual maintenance. Many homeowners schedule this maintenance for late fall to ensure it will operate effectively through the winter. Many homeowners in Rincon run their furnaces from November through April.
What happens during routine maintenance? Your technician will perform the following tasks that keep your air warm throughout the winter:
- The technician will start by running a thorough inspection of every furnace component, your HVAC system, and your thermostat.
- The HVAC specialist will tighten loose components that could cause issues.
- The technician will clean all the dirt and debris off your air filter, condensate line, and other components.
- If you have a gas furnace, the worker will ensure you don’t have any leaks.
- The HVAC specialist will lubricate all the moving pieces so they don’t rub or grind.
- They’ll perform a safety check to prevent any serious issues from threatening your home.
What benefits do you obtain from regular maintenance? In addition to increased comfort, it reduces the frequency and severity of repairs, extends the life expectancy of your furnace, and can keep your energy bills low.
Moderate Usage
To avoid Googling “why a furnace blows cold air,” consider moderating how frequently you use your furnace. The more you use it, the greater its wear and tear and the faster it wears out.
The United States Department of Energy suggests setting your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter. This allows you to stay safe while using the least amount of fuel for your heating needs. If 68 degrees is too cold, you can help yourself stay warm by using the following techniques:
- Consider cooking more frequently and using your stove or oven.
- Take hot showers.
- Wear sweatshirts and cover up with blankets.
- Consider running a space heater, though remember they come with serious safety issues.
- Drink hot beverages like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
- Open your curtains and let the sunlight heat your home.
Proper Installation
When you work with an HVAC company that cuts corners, they may not install the right size furnace for your home. They may also use improper installation techniques to save time while charging you a normal rate. Always work with an HVAC provider with a solid reputation and good rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Schedule Furnace Repair Services in Rincon, Georgia
Now you know why a furnace blows cold air and can call Georgia Air Cooling & Heating for help. We know the top furnace problems and fixes and always leave our customers satisfied. Whether you live near Rincon Elementary School or Rincon Fire Station 4, you’ll love our competitive prices and constant professionalism.
You can schedule an appointment when you contact us today.