When your furnace starts blowing cold air instead of heat, it doesn’t always mean that you’re facing an expensive repair. Sometimes it’s a thermostat setting or a dirty air filter; other times it’s an ignition system issue or a safety control shutting down the burners.
Our team at Coventry & Gattis A/C, Inc. helps Grapevine homeowners figure out what’s causing the problem and how to fix it. Before you call for service, here are a few things you can safely check yourself to get your home feeling warm again.
Check Your Thermostat Settings First
Start your troubleshooting by checking your fan setting. If it’s set to ON instead of AUTO, the blower can keep circulating air even after the furnace has finished heating your home. That air may feel cool, but nothing is actually wrong with the furnace itself. Switch the fan to AUTO and make sure the thermostat is set to HEAT, with the requested temperature above the current room temperature. It’s also normal to feel a brief burst of cooler air when your heating cycle starts or ends.
Dirty Furnace Filters and Restricted Airflow
A dirty furnace filter can cause more heating problems than you might expect. When airflow is restricted, the furnace can get too hot and shut off the burners as a safety precaution. The blower may keep running and make the air feel cold instead of warm.
Before calling us for service, check your air filter and replace it if it’s dirty. Most disposable filters need to be changed every 30 to 90 days, but homes with pets or more dust may need changing sooner. After checking your filter, make sure furniture isn’t blocking any of your vents or return air grilles and restricting airflow.
Ignition Problems That Stop Your Furnace From Heating
If your furnace keeps trying to start but never blows warm air, you may have an ignition system problem. A faulty igniter or gas supply issue can keep your burners from lighting, while a dirty flame sensor could cause them to shut off shortly after ignition.
You might also hear repeated clicking or notice the furnace turning on and off without heating your home. But if your furnace repeatedly fails to start, turn it off and schedule a heating repair as soon as possible. Trying to fix ignition components yourself can be dangerous and may affect your furnace warranty.
Why Cold Air Returns After the Furnace Starts Heating
If your furnace blows warm air at first but turns cold after a few minutes, it could be overheating and shutting off the burners as a safety precaution. Restricted airflow, a faulty limit switch, or another mechanical issue could be responsible. This could be caused by restricted airflow, a faulty limit switch, or another mechanical issue.
Pay attention to how long your furnace runs before the air turns cold and whether it eventually reaches the temperature on your thermostat. But if you smell gas at any point, leave your home immediately and call your gas utility or 911 from outside.
Schedule Furnace Repair in Grapevine, TX
If your furnace is still blowing cold air after checking the thermostat and filter, give us a call. Our team at Coventry & Gattis A/C, Inc. can check the ignition system, airflow, and safety controls to find out why your furnace isn’t heating properly. We’ll explain what’s going on and get your warm air flowing again.
Schedule your appointment at Coventry & Gattis A/C, Inc. and get your n back on track.