Exposure to a cold temperature even when inside your home can be damaging to your health. Living in a condition that is too cold can cause health issues particularly for people who have weakened immune systems such as newborns, infants, and elderly.
The World Health Organization recommends that the ideal temperature during the cold months of winter should be no lower than 64 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have children and elderly people in your home, you are advised to set the thermostat at around 70 degrees to keep them comfortably warm.
Having a properly functioning furnace during the sub-zero days and nights of winter is essential in keeping everyone in your family snug and safe. What if your furnace blows cold air instead of warm? You need to have it fixed as soon as possible. You wouldn’t want your family to be exposed to extremely cold weather.
Calling a trusted heating company in Champlin, MN like Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is the best way to put things back in order.
This article aims to give you information about the leading causes why a furnace blows cold air.
Thermostat
May heating issues can be caused by your thermostat. If you have a new thermostat installed recently, especially if you did it yourself instead of a qualified technician, you might have purchased a thermostat that isn’t compatible with your furnace. Call a heating expert for help.
If you have been using your thermostat for a while, check the batteries. Weak or dead batteries can cause poor performance from your thermostat. Replace the batteries as needed.
Confirm that your thermostat is set to “HEAT” and not “COOL” and make sure that the fan is set to “AUTO”. Then, check if the thermostat is set to a temperature high enough to prompt the furnace to produce heat.
Check if the internal components of the thermostat are clean and make sure that the thermostat box is level since being off-center can affect its accuracy.
Filters
Clogged filters are the number one source of heating problems. The accumulated dust and debris in your filters restrict airflow, which adds pressure to your furnace. When this happens, your furnace needs to work harder to compensate for the blockage of airflow. As a result, your heating system uses more energy to heat your home. Keeping your furnace filters clean protects your unit from premature wear and tear and keeps it running smoothly.
Ducts
Your ductwork is one of the most important parts of your home’s heating system. If the ducts are poorly sealed or insulated, they let heated air escape, causing you to have no heat.
Leaky ducts cause several heating issues that include:
- Higher energy bills
- Buildup of debris in your system, causing your furnace to overheat
- Compromised indoor air quality
- Creation of hot and cold spots in your home
If your ducts have even small openings such as cracks, they may pick up cold air that mixes with heated air. If the damage to the ducts is heavy, they may lose the heated air completely.
Flame Sensor
This is a relatively simple part of the furnace, yet it causes a lot of problems for homeowners. The flame sensor’s function is to verify that the gas has been lit. In the absence of heat, the flame sensor shuts off the gas to avoid any dangerous accumulation of gas in the unit.
Electrical Panel
Even if you have a gas-fired unit, your furnace still needs electricity to function. Simple issues such as a tripped breaker inside your electrical panel can cause many issues, including your furnace blowing cold air.
A tripped circuit breaker can cause your furnace to not turn at all.It can also lead to a pilot light not turning on. These issues can attribute to your home being in a no heat situation.
Check the furnace and surrounding walls for another switch or circuit breaker and ensure that it is turned on. If any of these switches and breakers are turned off, turn them on and allow your system to run. If they trip off again then this might mean that there is a problem with the wiring and you will need to contact your heating company to get it fixed.
Leave it to the Pros
The last thing you want to deal with is a malfunctioning furnace during a cold winter night. In order to avoid being in the cold, it is essential to have a professional maintain your heating system.
Call Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning and get the best Blaine heating solutions tailored to your home.