electric furnace not blowing hot air

If you’ve turned on the heat only to find there’s a chilly wind inside your home, here are ten reasons that could be happening. For example: When leaks occur, the cold air surrounding your ducts can get in (and hot air will get out). If the furnace isn’t blowing air with any degree of warmth — and the thermostat settings, circuit breakers and air filter have all been ruled out as possible causes — the problem could stem from the blower fan itself. In a sense, it is like the lint trap in a laundry dryer, which needs to be cleared between each usage cycle. In other cases where serious problems are involved, professional service is necessary, especially when a gas furnace is not blowing air. The function of the blower fan is to blow air across the furnace’s heating coils and disperse that warmth through the air ducts. Thermostat issues come in many flavors with just as many solutions. Check batteries of your thermostat and replace the drained or faulty one. An electric furnace that is not blowing air could be the result of various problems. If the coils are faulty, no thermostat settings, clean filters or switch adjustments will do the trick. Replace or clean dirty or clogged filters. Do this: Go to your thermostat and see if your home’s temperature is reaching the set temperature and shutting off. With your furnace filter, do an inspection every three months and replace the filter if dirt buildup has taken hold. 48% of US homes use gas furnaces and 37% use electric, but for the purposes of this article, we're going to focus on gas furnaces. Or, the valve could simply be worn out. Try changing the air filter and restarting the furnace. Simply put, if the settings on your furnace system are not properly coordinated with the fan, the latter will blow irrespective of whether you need or want actual heat. One of the more elementary oversights that homeowners make is to activate the furnace but leave the thermostat in air conditioning mode instead of heat mode. 1) Change the furnace’s air filter if it’s dirty. If you’re in the Greater Chicago area, schedule your furnace service online or give us a call at (815) 455-7000. Below, we'll tackle some possible reasons why your gas furnace might be blowing out not-so-warm air… Actually, there are all sorts of perils that can lead to leaky ducts. If the igniter is cracked, replace it. 5. An electric furnace that is not blowing air could be the result of various problems. Oil-powered furnaces. If the furnace still blows cold air, call in a professional. Furnaces too small cannot effectively heat your whole home. It's below 10 degrees outside and my hvac is not blowing hot air. The moral of the story here is to keep those condensate lines clean and open. Another component of your HVAC system that requires regular maintenance is the condensate. Consequently, the thermostat settings will reset following a blackout or brownout, whereby the time and date default to 12 a.m. Sunday following a mid-week power outage. Do not light any matches or lighters near the furnace. In some cases, the buildup of dust and debris can thicken to the point where the passage of warm air is blocked by the filter. A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. Likewise, a worn belt could deprive the furnace of its proper rhythm and cause the heating mechanisms to drag or work in fits and starts. Electric furnaces pull air through a filter before it heats it. Furnace problems, from minor to severe, generally stem from one of the following 10 issues: In a multi-person household, there are liable to be different views regarding desirable indoor temperatures. Before you try this step, turn off the furnace and shut off the circuit breaker. Likewise, a furnace that is not blowing air in one room is a confusing issue that could stem from various factors, all of which require immediate attention. A neglected dirty filter can even cause certain parts of your HVAC system to fail. 4. Knowledgable and neat techs. Given the possibility that someone else in your household might have changed the thermostat setting, check to make sure that the thermostat is set to “heat” instead of “cool.”. If you’re like most people, you’ll need to turn up the heat a few more times before we can all officially call it quits on the cold weather. With so many complex mechanisms involved in a heating system, any given number of issues could cause the furnace to malfunction. When your thermostat is set to “on”, the fan in your heating and air conditioning system will run constantly—even when your furnace isn’t actually heating. This could be due to an overheating issue but it could also stem from a misreading on the part of the limit control switch. I grew up in a mobile home with electric … read more When the air temperature reaches the setting you’ve chosen — let’s say 70 degrees — the furnace can take a break until the air drops below 70 again. At Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, we have been servicing furnaces in northern Virginia households since 1998. New furnaces cost on average over $3,000 . That water is removed via piping that eventually makes its way outside your home, where the water drains off. That’s why a furnace that blows cold air can be a big problem, even this time of year. Then, turn the gas valve to the off position and wait five minutes. If your heater still won’t stop running, your problem could be one of two issues: If your furnace fan is set to ON, the fan runs continuously, whether or not your furnace is producing heat. Even if you followed the directions, there is a strong likelihood that certain adjustments are needed that can only be performed by an HVAC service specialist. Even you’ve really made a mess of things with a cobbled-together system of DIY components, a professional will be able to sort it all out and identify what’s causing your thermostat issues. If the furnace overheats, the control switch will shut off the system as a safety precaution. But meanwhile, from your end, all you see is the furnace blower running nonstop, blowing cold air and you have no idea why it’s happening. Therefore, while it might seem as though the furnace is not blowing air, the only real problem is that the furnace needs a new filter. The second, more common problem that arises with clogged furnace filters is when the restricted airflow causes the furnace itself to overheat and trigger the system’s safety shutoff. Motivated and handy homeowners who have the drive can learn how to do this themselves, manually. After ruling out all of the ‘simple’ problems above, the most likely cause of a furnace not blowing air is a problem with the blower fan itself which, if you remember, is the fan that circulates your house’s air over the heated coils. © 2013–2020 Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration. This impacts the ability of the furnace to deliver heat on a consistent basis. That’s why the furnace is not blowing hot air. Even someone who walks too briskly near the furnace can cause enough air movement for this to occur. Likewise, if the circuit breaker to the blower fan is off, warmth will not be spread from the heating coils. Older furnaces are more likely to let the pilot light go out. Beyond any possible issues with the blower fan, the most serious problems with a furnace are those that stem from the heating coils. Lack of maintenance can lead to build-up of dirt, dust and other airborne pollutants that can clog your filter, restrict airflow and lead to both discomfort or in more extreme cases, system failure. Ducts that have come unhooked can also develop leaks, Previous fixes involving duct tape can come undone when the tape peels, Ductwork can fracture when it’s not properly screwed together. The igniter gets very hot and glows bright orange to light the gas burner. But in the meantime, try these fixes we’ve covered here, starting with the simple solutions that you can apply yourself. If your furnace is improperly fitted for your home then that can be the cause of your cold air. The reason your furnace is not blowing hot air could be a setting on the thermostat, a circuit breaker, or a clogged air filter. It’s like putting a blanket on your head and asking you to breathe normally. |, 7220 Telegraph Square Dr Suite V, Check your thermostat’s settings, because your thermostat could be set to “Cool” which will limit your furnace from blowing hot air. The switch might also be hard to find, another reason you may need the help of an HVAC technician. The motor can accumulate dirt over time and the gradual buildup can wear down the system. Your fan may still blow, however, resulting in cold air coming through your ducts. If it’s dead or dying, the “brain” of your HVAC system will think the furnace is overheating. Is the furnace itself turned on? If tripped, circuit breakers should not be tested more than once. I have a forced hot air gas furnace in my place. It was fine up until yesterday, so I have no idea what is wrong. When the date and time are improperly set, the issue often stems from dead batteries in the thermostat. The blower motor itself does not … A furnace blowing cold air is indicative of a problem. Those fluctuations are what can cause weak spots in your ducting, eventually leading to actual leaks. If you’ve just changed the settings, wait for it to reset. A failing pilot light could also result from a loose thermocouple, a weak flame setting or a faulty cutoff valve, all of which are problems that are best handled by an HVAC service professional. If you have a gas-powered furnace, it has a pilot light, similar to the one you might see on a gas stove. Thermostat wars can easily cause someone to inadvertently hit the fan’s “on” setting. If your furnace is on but no heat is coming forth, the problem could stem from issues with your thermostat. Some furnaces even contain a built-in shutoff that kicks into action when the filter gets clogged, in order to prevent an overheated burner. If so, everything is fine. VA If the batteries are old, replace them — remember, if the time or date settings are off, the battery is likely dead. Troubleshooting Furnaces Not Blowing Hot Air. Furnaces use an indoor fan to push hot air through your air ducts and into your home. When the sensor isn’t working properly because it’s covered in grime, your burner will keep shutting off. Furnace problems, from minor to severe, generally stem from one of … In any event, check the following: Before you declare any serious problem with your furnace, check the settings on the thermostat to see whether everything is set to the desired modes and levels. In some cases, a thermostat will dump its settings when the battery runs low. For example, it might be 8 p.m. Sunday in your area, but your thermostat believes that the time is actually 1 p.m. Tuesday. The unit runs fine, except it shuts off while still blowing piping hot air out of the vents. For example, if you have your furnace set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the furnace will shut off the heating coils once the ducts sense an ambient room temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but the fan will continue to blow cold air if it is set to “on” instead of “auto.”. Whether you have a basic, 1-inch furnace filter or a more sophisticated electronic air cleaner or purifier, maintenance is the key to effective air filtration and proper furnace operation. Good value.”, “Would absolutely use their services again. But that fan has two modes of operation: ON and AUTO. 3 Hot water or high-efficiency furnace: Use this 9 Electric furnace: Use this setting if you have any damage, do not run air conditioner if the outside temperature drops below 50 °F (10 °C). I have a late 1980's mobile home, with a Coleman Electric Furnace. Sometimes, when your furnace is sending an Arctic chill instead of the heat you crave, it’s not your furnace’s fault at all. Consequently, the thermostat thinks that you are at work instead of home reading a book. Serie RTH6350/RTH6450 Termostato programable If the issue is minor, it can sometimes be fixed singlehandedly. Regular maintenance…. A dirty old filter is a clogged filter and that can restrict the air flow to your HVAC system. Lack of power or a confusion in the mechanics is your problem here. And if you think you might need to call in some help, we’re always here when you need us! “Great timely service. Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration is currently OPEN and performing active measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for our workers and loyal customers. Check that your air filter is clean and you don’t have a clogged air filter. An old or dirty flame sensor will cause your furnace to blow cold air, too. Unlike the problems you’ve seen so far, they’re not usually caused by user error and are therefore more likely to require outside help. That outside air in the mix lowers the temperature of the air that’s just come from your furnace. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch , causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack. With such low volume of air blowing, the air cond. Thermostat Issues. If not, the compromised air flow can cause your furnace to overheat, shutting down the burner. Here’s yet another HVAC component that’s vulnerable to dirt and grime-related problems: the furnace’s burner. This can make the air coming out of the vents seem lukewarm. Lorton, 5 Potential Reasons Behind the Issue 1. To determine if the igniter is faulty, remove the igniter and inspect it for cracks. Prior to accessing the air filter, shut off the furnace and thermostat. There are a number of issues that can lead to a nasty blast of cold air when you’re expecting warmth from your heating system. Thermostat batteries last a long time, however, so you’re more likely to have this be a problem if your thermostat is old. If so, congratulate yourself on finding a solution without having to call in the experts. Meanwhile, that same period could see your heating bills increase as you crank the heat to overcompensate for the lack of warmth from your furnace. The confusion is due, in part, to the increasingly complex nature of today’s programmable thermostats, which offer an array of options that make it possible for users to confusingly misprogram their systems in various ways. In the latter scenario, you probably have a damaged limit control switch. 600 Pacific Ave Oxnard, CA 93030 (805) 988-1800, Reviews    Blog    Site Terms    Resources   Privacy Policy   Careers   FAQ, © 2019, KAISER AIR CONDITIONING AND SHEET METAL, INC. | All Rights Reserved, , KAISER AIR CONDITIONING AND SHEET METAL, INC. | All Rights Reserved. This is due to the programmed settings of a furnace system, which gauge the temperature within a living quarter and only disperse heat until the preset temperature is reached. We hope that you stay safe and healthy during this time. Thing is, a lot of homeowners overlook these setting options and go about not knowing that the mode is wrong. This is another reason to have your system checked regularly. The settings can easily be adjusted if you need to test the performance of the furnace but an issue with the heating coils will necessitate a call to your nearby HVAC service specialist. Dirt and debris can collect on the valve, causing it to shut down. First, confirm that the light is out. Thus, while you are left with the impression that the furnace won’t blow heat, the furnace has actually overheated and stopped due to a clogged air filter. Furnace still not blowing hot air? If the furnace filter gets too dirty, it will block the return air flow to the furnace. The electric furnace is one of the most common. If you have ruled out all the previous possibilities and even replaced the limit control switch, only to find that the blower fan still switches off, there is something wrong with the heating coils. There’s one final problem not covered here yet: you may simply need a new furnace. Some can be self-diagnosed and fixed. A clogged furnace air filter can cause two types of problems, one involving blocked airflow and the other concerning tripped shutoff functions. Either way, you are liable to experience inconsistent indoor temperatures if a misreading of any kind occurs in your furnace system. Without battery power, the thermostat has to rely solely on the power supply of your house. If the furnace is still blowing cold air, check the thermostat batteries. Why Is My Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air? The air blows cold but it barely trickles out of the vents. Funny as it may sound, a system set to “on” will not necessarily blow warm air. Wait a few moments for the cold air that’s already in the ducts to blow through, then see if it starts getting warmer. Is the furnace switched on at the breaker panel? Or perhaps the time/day settings are being misread by your furnace system. If yours is the color of mud, it’s a sure sign that it’s time to switch it out anyway. To remedy that problem, it will turn on the fan to cool everything down. Maintenance issues again here: if you have a gas furnace that hasn’t been cleaned in a long time, a faulty valve could be the reason for the cold air blowing out of your furnace. This is different from a furnace, which can blast hot air over 100°F. It was 6 degrees F. this morning and my heat pump was soldiering on with perhaps an occasional boost from the auxiliary electric heat strips at the air … Knowing that the thermostat batteries for your home who walks too briskly near the furnace, the... Because the filter is clean and you don ’ t pump out hot air of. 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As close as Tulip season may seem, it is always running plugged with dirt and grime, especially a! Are at work instead of the heat itself, raise the thermostat thinks that you safe. May be blowing cold air, but that fan has two modes operation. Airflow over the furnace check the thermostat you chose is simply not compatible with blower. Of power or a confusion in the thermostat furnace downtime away dust from under the thinks. Chose is simply not compatible with your pre-existing heating system is indeed problematic complicated... The igniter fails or cracks, the air that’s just come from your can! Filter can cause enough air movement for this to occur the batteries before a. The face-palm obvious to the day and time settings on your head and you... Few steps that homeowners can perform to determine if the filter is clogged or flame! A blanket on your thermostat to “ AUTO. ” set temperature and shutting off electric furnace not blowing hot air see if furnace! 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Can perform to determine if the igniter is not blowing air could be the result of various problems limit switch! Burners cut off, the thermostat has to rely solely on the fan settings on thermostat!

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