We’ve all had that sinking feeling before. Your home feels a little chilly, so you walk over to your heating vents and feel cold air blowing out at you. Uh-oh. Don’t panic. Here are some ways to figure out why your furnace is blowing out cold air and whether you can fix it yourself or if it’s time to call the professionals.
Check the Thermostat
It may seem silly, but the reason your furnace may be blowing cold air instead of warm could be a wrong setting on your thermostat. Someone could have brushed up against the thermostat, or you may have a toddler or young child that accidentally changed it. Make sure your thermostat is set to HEAT instead of AC and make sure the fan setting is on auto and not ON.
Check the Air Filter
A dirty air filter will block airflow over your furnace’s exchanger which causes it to overheat. When your furnace overheats, it will shut off its burners to protect itself from cracking. This causes it to blow out cold air. Turn off your furnace from the thermostat and replace your air filter. You may need to call L&M Heating and Cooling to reset the system.
Check the Pilot Light
If your furnace is an older model with a standing pilot light, it can not heat if it’s not lit. To turn on the pilot light, turn off your furnace and find the reset switch at the bottom of the unit. There should be a knob with three settings for the pilot light that read “pilot,” “on” and “off.” Turn the knob to off and wait five minutes. Turn the knob to pilot and press down the knob while holding a lighter to the pilot opening until it lights. Turn the knob to on. Your furnace should now ignite.
If these things don’t cause your furnace to start blowing warm air again, call L&M Heating and Cooling today.