When something is designed only for a single task, you expect it to do that task properly. Since your furnace is designed only to heat your Austin home, it can be especially frustrating when it’s blowing cold air instead of warm air. If you’re getting fed up with a furnace that’s not doing its job, you’ll be thankful for these tips from Totally Cool Heating & Air to help you figure out what’s wrong.
Check Your Thermostat
If your furnace is blowing cold air, don’t overlook your thermostat as a possible culprit. First, check to make sure that you have the thermostat programmed to the “heat” setting and not just set to run the house fan. Second, make sure that your thermostat has fresh batteries and that the wired connections on the back of the thermostat are attached properly. You may even discover that your thermostat is no longer working and needs to be replaced by Totally Cool Heating & Air.
Problematic Pilot Light
Gas furnaces have one important component that can make the difference between cold air and hot air: the pilot light. The pilot light is an always-on flame that ignites your furnace’s burner when the thermostat calls for heat. If there is a momentary interruption to your home’s gas supply or if the pilot light becomes clogged, the pilot light could go out. This prevents the gas in the burner from igniting, leading to cold air blowing throughout your home. Fortunately, furnaces contain a component that prevents gas from flowing to the burner if it senses that there’s a problem with the pilot light so that you don’t have a natural gas release in your home.
Dilapidated Ducts
If Totally Cool Heating & Air inspects your furnace and finds no problems, the cause of your cold-air issues could be in your ducts instead of your furnace. Improperly insulated ducts that develop holes can cause the warm air that your furnace produces to be lost before it reaches your living area. In some cases, repairing your ducts can be a do-it-yourself project. However, if your ducts are hard to access or if there are major holes in your ducts, you’ll likely need professional assistance to solve your problem.
Faulty Flame
In a gas furnace, the burner is the heart of the heat-making process. Unfortunately, burners can have various problems that can cause interruptions to your warm air supply. One common issue is that burners often become clogged due to soot or other dirt in the nozzles on the burner. A clog will change the amount of fuel that’s released, leading to a weak flame and no heat. A burner can also become warped over time simply due to the effects of the changing temperatures that are present in and around the burner. Depending on the type of furnace you have, Totally Cool Heating & Air may be able to replace your burner. However, if you’ve had your furnace for more than 10 years, it’s typically good to think about replacement instead of repair.
Filthy Filter
Don’t let a simple task, such as regularly replacing your furnace filter, stand between you and warm, comfortable air. If you leave a filter in place for too long, it will eventually become clogged with dust and debris. This will significantly reduce the amount of air that can flow through the furnace. Your furnace is equipped with sensors that determine if there is enough air moving through the furnace at any given time. If there’s not enough airflow, your furnace will shut itself down to prevent overheating. This will leave only the blower fan operating, meaning that the air coming out of your vents will be just as cold as or even colder than the air that went into the system. For best results, try changing your furnace filter at least once a month.
Help for Heat
If you need assistance with your furnace, the pros at Totally Cool Heating & Air are the ones to call. We have experience with all types of furnaces, meaning that we can take on any repair, replacement, or maintenance task. We can also help you with duct cleaning, attic insulation installation, solar window screens, duct sealing, and a host of other tasks. Proudly locally owned and operated for over 35 years, we are proud of the reputation we’ve been able to build, backed by numerous five-star customer reviews. If you’re having trouble with your home’s heating system, be sure to give us a call at Totally Cool Heating & Air today.
