It’s one of the most frustrating realizations that you’ll ever have. You notice that you’re not as comfortable as you’d expect in your home. So you walk over the to the thermostat, but stop halfway there. You just passed a vent and—there’s cold air coming out of it! What the heck? Your heater is running! And the air is cool! What gives?
The good news is that this doesn’t necessarily mean that there is a serious problem at play.
The bad news is that there could be a serious problem at play.
In today’s post, we’re going to cover some of the possible causes of this issue that you can resolve on your own. We’ll also cover the warning signs that it is, in fact, time to call in a heating professional. So read on, and be sure to let the pros on our team know if there are any problems with your home heating in Bluffton, IN.
Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?
Okay, we know that this sounds super obvious. This is not us talking down to you, though. We ask this question because we’ve seen the red faces before. We show up, check the thermostat, make a quick adjustment, and let the homeowner know that there is really nothing wrong at all. Before assuming the worst, it helps to know some no-heat furnace troubleshooting steps.
It’s not just about making sure that your heater is set to the appropriate temperature. It’s about making sure that it is set to the appropriate mode. If you have your thermostat in “fan-only” mode, for instance, then you aren’t actually heating air. You are circulating it, though. So you’re basically just blowing room temperature air throughout the house, which can give the impression that the heater isn’t working.
You May Have a Mechanical Issue
There are a lot of different mechanical factors that could lead to this, as well. You may have the thermostat set properly, but it could be malfunctioning. You may have issues with a faulty limit switch, which is basically rendering the heater incapable of producing heat while also keeping the fan running. These issues can point to serious furnace repair clues.
Because there are a lot of potential causes to this situation, it is very important to have a professional diagnose the problem. The last thing that you want is to treat a symptom, only to leave the underlying cause causing problems as usual. When you work with us, you get an accurate diagnosis. It’s that simple, especially when you need after-hours furnace help fast.
It May Not Be the Heater Itself
Okay, so here’s the thing—ducts leak. Not all ducts. But a lot of ducts. They degrade over time. They come loose in their fittings. Animals tear them up. Whatever the cause of the leak, the result is the same. Higher bills, reduced comfort.
If you notice that it’s a specific area of your home that you can’t get quite as comfortable as you’d like, then it could well be that the ducts servicing that area of the house are compromised. Only a professional can tell you for sure if this is the case and seal our air ducts properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why is my furnace blowing cool air when the heat is on?
Answer: A furnace may blow cool air because the thermostat is set incorrectly, the fan is running without heat, or a mechanical issue is preventing the system from warming the air. It can also happen if ductwork leaks are letting heated air escape before it reaches your rooms.
Question: Should my thermostat fan be set to on or auto for heating?
Answer: For normal heating, the fan is usually best set to “auto.” If it is set to “on” or fan-only mode, the blower may keep circulating room-temperature air even when the furnace is not actively heating. This can make it seem like the furnace is blowing cold air.
Question: Can a bad thermostat cause my furnace to blow cool air?
Answer: Yes, a malfunctioning thermostat can cause heating problems even if the settings look correct. The thermostat may fail to communicate properly with the furnace, which can keep the fan running without producing enough heat. A professional diagnosis can confirm whether the thermostat or furnace is the real issue.
Question: What mechanical problems can make a furnace blow cold air?
Answer: Mechanical issues such as a faulty limit switch can stop the furnace from producing heat while the fan continues to run. Since several parts can cause similar symptoms, it is important to have an HVAC professional inspect the system instead of only treating the obvious symptom.
Question: Can leaky ductwork make my furnace feel like it is not heating?
Answer: Yes, damaged or leaking ducts can reduce comfort by letting warm air escape before it reaches certain rooms. If one area of the home feels colder than the rest, the furnace may not be the main problem. The ductwork may need professional inspection and sealing.
Schedule your heating repairs with Collier’s Comfort. True Comfort, True Savings.