Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?

Reasons Your Furnace Isn’t Heating

Even if the winters in Humble do not reach very cold temperatures, no one should have to worry about a broken heater. When your heater lets out cold air and not warm air in the dead of winter, what do you do?

Find out if your fix is something you can do yourself or if you need our helpful experts! If you’re in need of heater repair or a heater replacement for your Humble home, contact your local experts at Air Tech of Humble today!

Easy Heater Fixes You Can Do Yourself

Checking your heater is not as daunting as it seems! Below are some easy ways to help maintain your furnace before contacting our experts at Air Tech of Humble!

Check Your Thermostat

In Texas, the weather changes like a fast swing! This can lead many homeowners to forget about switching their thermostat settings — forcing your system to produce cold air when you need warm air.

To prevent this, switch your thermostat from ‘Cool’ to ‘Heat’ and set the fan to ‘Auto.’ When the fan is set to ‘On’ while heating, it can cause cool air to come through your vents. If changing the settings doesn’t solve the issue, you may have a different thermostat problem.

In battery-powered models, ensure the batteries are not weak, dead or if there is an issue with the wiring. Thermostats installed incorrectly or those incompatible with your heating system can also blow cold air. If there is an issue with an incorrectly installed thermostat do not hesitate to have it corrected by our experts at Air Tech of Humble.

Your Furnace Needs To Warm Up

Just like waiting for your tap water to warm up when you turn the faucet, your furnace works in a similar way. Once you turn on your heater, your ducts need to clear out the cold air that remains before releasing warm air. Give your furnace some time to warm up fully before assuming that it’s broken.

If the air still feels cold after 15 minutes there may be an issue with your system. When this is the case, it is best to see if there are any issues with the heater itself. For comprehensive heater inspections and repairs, reach out to the experts at Air Tech of Humble.

Dirty Furnace Filter

Air filters collect dust and other debris from your home, and a dirty or clogged filter will restrict the airflow to your heater. We recommend you change your filter at least once every 90 days depending on the number of people and pets in your home.

A clogged air filter can cause your furnace to overheat and shut down to prevent a fire or system damage. A visual inspection can help you decide if the filter is dirty — remember to change it frequently to keep your heater running as it should!

Tripped Breaker

When a breaker trips it can cut power to your furnace. Electric furnaces might not start at all when the breaker trips, so if you have an electric furnace make sure that all breakers are functioning properly.

In comparison, newer gas furnaces often have an electric starter to ignite the burner so a tripped breaker won’t prevent the system from starting once the breaker is reset. No matter the type of furnace you have, if you have a tripped breaker, simply reset it and see if it solves the problem.

Beyond DIY Heater Maintenance

While the steps described above can go a long way in helping you keep your home warm this winter, the reason why your heater blows cold air may be a more complicated issue. Read on to learn more about why your system may not be running correctly and when you should call our professional team.

Ductwork Damage

Your home’s HVAC system relies on fully functioning ductwork to work efficiently and keep your home comfortable year-round. If your unit is operating properly but you feel the wrong air temperature coming from the vents, there is a chance that your ductwork is damaged.

Any holes, leaks or damage in your air ducts can allow warm air to escape into your attic instead of warming your home. This can bring cold air back into your space and keep your rooms at the wrong temperature. These leaks can be caused by damage due to improper installation, vermin or old age.

What To Do When Your Furnace Is Overheating

Furnaces are programmed with a safety feature that will shut the system down when it overheats. A shutdown function can help prevent dangerous carbon monoxide leaks and fires. While this shutdown feature sounds scary, it is actually a sign of a properly working system. Issues including mechanical failure, a clogged filter or old age can cause a system to overheat.

If your system is overheating and the shutdown system is not working immediately, contact Air Tech of Humble so we can quickly fix the problem. Don’t delay fixing this issue as it can lead to dangerous situations for you and your family.

Contact Air Tech Of Humble

Changing your thermostat settings, replacing your air filter and resetting tripped breakers are all safe things for homeowners to try when troubleshooting heater problems.

If you’ve tried troubleshooting your furnace issues and are still having problems, Air Tech of Humble is ready to provide your home with quality heating services. We’re here to provide the help you need to keep your home comfortable during the winter. Reach out today to get started!