Waking up to a cold home and a faulty gas furnace is a wintertime nightmare no homeowner wants. If you find your gas furnace is running and blowing cold air, what’s the solution? Douglas Cooling & Heating reviews common causes behind a gas furnace blowing cold air and how repair or replacement can solve your comfort issues.
Why Is My Gas Furnace Blowing Cold Air?
The cause behind a gas furnace blowing cold air can be simple or more complex. Some simple HVAC system issues easy to troubleshoot include:
Gas furnace fan settings
If your gas furnace only blows cold air periodically, your HVAC system fan settings may be the problem. If the thermostat’s fan setting is “ON”, the blower motor will continue to run.
This is true even after a heating cycle has ended, and circulate cold air through your vents. Switch the fan settings to AUTO to solve the issue.
Pilot light
Older furnaces still in use may operate with a pilot light rather than newer ignition systems. If the pilot light goes out then there is no combustion process. No combustion, therefore, no heat.
Relight the pilot light following the manufacturer’s instructions. If this was the issue, heat restores.
No gas
Make sure the gas valve to your furnace is on. If not, turn it on and see if heat returns. If you use liquid propane as heating fuel, your tank may be empty.
Check your tank’s volume and have it refilled if needed.
Dirty air filter
Clogged air filters strain your gas furnace. The clog obstructs airflow and keeps heat from your living areas. If your air filter is dirty, change it right away.
More Complex Gas Furnace Issues Require Professional Assistance
Some causes are more complex and require the assistance of Douglas Cooling & Heating’ NATE-certified heating technicians:
- Ignition system: Newer electronic ignition systems, as well as pilot lights, may malfunction. This prevents the lighting of fuel. Therefore it generates no heat.
- Severe duct leaks: If major duct leaks exist in your system, much of the heat your gas furnace produces is lost. Cold air from the areas surrounding the ducts move into the duct system and circulate into your home. This makes it feel as if your furnace is pushing cold air through your vents.
- Dirty flame sensors: If the furnace’s flame sensors are covered in soot because you skipped preventative service, the gas burners will not stay lit. Flame sensors must be cleaned by a certified HVAC technician.
Additional culprits could be faulty circuit boards or other malfunctioning components. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for assistance solving the problem.
Gas Furnace Service, Repair and Replacement
When you call Douglas Cooling & Heating because your gas furnace is blowing cold air, our NATE-certified technicians inspect your system to diagnose the issue causing the cold air you feel.
Sometimes, service easily resolves these issues. If so, we will perform the gas furnace repair you need to get warm air flowing back into your home.
Other issues may make replacement a better solution. This is especially true when the cost of repairs is extensive and your existing furnace is nearing the end of its service life.
Douglas Cooling & Heating is a Factory Authorized Dealer of Bryant heating systems. Our staff will review your equipment options and help you select a new gas furnace to keep your home supplied with reliable comfort for years to come.
So if your gas furnace blows cold air, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating for help. Our NATE-certified heating technicians perform around the clock gas furnace service to restore heat quickly in your Birmingham, Alabama home or business.
We’ll find the source of the problem and make reliable repairs you can trust for warmth and comfort this heating season.
