Cool temperatures have arrived for the season. As a result, it’s an excellent time to check your heating and cooling system to ensure everything is operating correctly. If you discover you have a furnace blowing cold air, it’s an issue you want to resolve immediately. Winter is on the way, and you won’t want to deal with a cold home.

Childers Air Plumbing & Electric is home to the most trusted heating contractors in Beckley, WV, and the surrounding area. We want to prepare you for the winter ahead with this list of possible reasons your furnace is blowing cold air.

Reasons My Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air

There are many possible reasons why your furnace isn’t working correctly. If you have a furnace blowing cold air, here’s a list of potential issues that might be causing it:

Incorrect Thermostat Setting

Check how your thermostat is set if you have a furnace blowing cold air. Someone may have changed the settings while you were out. If someone felt hot, they might have switched the thermostat fan setting from AUTO to ON. The change means the fan will run without providing heat. Make sure it’s set to AUTO, and it should start working correctly again.

Damaged Pilot Light

If your furnace is blowing cold air, check that the pilot light on your gas system is working. The pilot light in your gas furnace ignites the burners so your system can produce heat.

A pilot light that stops working is a common issue with older furnaces. The instruction manual with your gas furnace should provide directions for relighting the pilot. If you have trouble doing it, contact your team at Childers Air Plumbing & Electric for help.

Faulty Gas Valve

If your pilot doesn’t light, you might have a faulty gas valve in your furnace. You’ll need to replace a defective gas valve so your furnace can operate normally. You might also have a valve stuck due to dirt and debris, which could be the case if it’s been a while since you last cleaned your system.

Faulty Thermocouple

If you relight the pilot, but it keeps going out, your issue might be with a faulty thermocouple — a sensor that controls the gas valve and ignition. It’s usually an easy fix, but you’ll need to call an HVAC technician to adjust or replace it.

Be sure to distinguish a thermocouple from a flame sensor. A flame sensor detects that burners work once they release gas, and the igniters light them.

Problem with Computerized Controls

You should reset your system if you have a newer furnace with an electronic control panel. But first, locate the power switch and turn the stove off. Then, restart your system, and it should operate correctly.

If you still have a furnace blowing cold air, you’ll need to call a professional HVAC technician for help. Childers Air Plumbing & Electric has trained experts who can help you solve the problem.

Dirty Air Filter

Have you changed your furnace’s air filter recently? If not, this could be your problem. A dirty air filter can restrict your furnace’s airflow. The lack of airflow sends a signal to a high-limit switch and might cause it to overheat and shut down.

If you’re unsure how long you’ve had the air filter, remove it and visually inspect it. If your filter is dirty, go to your local home store and buy a new one. Next, try changing the air filter, then restarting your furnace.

Ductwork Damage

Cracks and holes in your home’s ductwork might be causing the problem. These small to large openings could let cold air from your attic enter your air ducts.

Your furnace might be blowing hot air and functioning normally, but it might be leaking by the time it blows from your vents. Duct sealing could allow the hot air to reach the vents more efficiently.

Clogged Condensate Line

Some furnaces have condensate lines for transporting water away from the unit. When one of these lines gets clogged, the furnace won’t ignite. Instead, cold air circulates through the vents.

There may also be an issue with your condensate drain lines. This issue could also be why you have a furnace blowing cold air. If this is the case, contact an HVAC professional to fix it.

Childers Air Plumbing & Electric Is Here to Help!

Whether you have a furnace or heater blowing cold air or need a new heating system, we’re here to help. Our skilled technicians provide furnace repair in Beckley, WV, and the surrounding area. Give us a call today to schedule your next service appointment!

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