Winter is on its way, and the last thing you want is for your furnace to stop working. When you ask yourself, “how long do furnaces last” – you’re hoping the answer is forever. But sadly, things break over time.
In this case when your furnace blows cold air, you want to get to the bottom of the issue and fast.
Don’t spend your winter shivering in what should be the comfort of your own home. Read this post to learn why your furnace is blowing cold air, and whether you should get Ottawa furnace repair vs. install a new furnace.
Reasons Why Your Furnace May Be Blowing Cold Air
There are a few reasons why a furnace would blow cold air:
- Thermostat settings
- Dirty air filter
- Pilot light isn’t working
- Inadequate gas supply
- Condensate clog
Thermostat Settings
If your furnace is only blowing cold air sometimes, and if the blower is constantly running, the problem may stem from your thermostat.
When you leave your thermostat set to “on,” the blower runs constantly. So, even when your furnace isn’t heating the air, it’s still working. The solution to this is to set the thermostat to “auto.”
Dirty Air Filter
Just as the air filter in your car gets dirty and needs to be changed, so too does the filter in your home’s furnace. Dirty filters restrict airflow, which actually poses a safety problem.
When outbound airflow is restricted, your furnace can actually overheat – leading to many furnace issues such as bad furnace odours. A safety control will shut off the burners. That’s why it’s crucial to change your furnace’s air filter. How often you have to change your filter depends on its thickness.
Pilot Light Isn’t Working
Another cause of furnaces blowing cold air is pilot lights that aren’t lit or ignition problems. The pilot light is a small flame that lights a larger burner (such as in a furnace). If it doesn’t light, the furnace won’t heat up.
Sometimes, the pilot light is dirty and needs to be cleaned. Other times, the copper rod that the pilot light is supposed to hit, known as the thermocouple needs to be replaced, and a trained Stittsville furnace repair professional can do that for you.
Inadequate Gas Supply
There needs to be enough gas going into your furnace for it to work. If there isn’t, the furnace won’t blow hot air. Why might there not be enough gas going into your furnace?
Your gas supply might be turned off. It’s also possible that there’s something in the line that’s preventing the gas from flowing through it. A trained professional should be able to figure out the cause of the problem.
Condensate Clogs
During the heating process, water that forms is known as “condensate.” In newer, highly-efficient furnaces, there’s a line that draws condensate out of the furnace. You may also see your furnace leaking water.
This line can become clogged for a variety of reasons. When that happens, the furnace stops blowing hot air.
Turn to Ottawa Home Services for Your Furnace Repair and Maintenance Needs
If your furnace isn’t working, call Ottawa Home Services immediately! We offer 24-hour emergency service seven days a week throughout Ottawa, from Kanata to Orleans and all the way to Barrhaven.
Since 2003, we’ve been Ottawa’s trusted source for furnace repairs and maintenance, call us today at 613-714-1133.
