Reasons Why Your Heater is Blowing Cold Air

There are several possible reasons for why your heating unit might be blowing cold air. Diagnosing the issue yourself is generally not the best way to go about solving your problem.

Even if you fix the symptoms of an issue, you may find later on down the road that the real cause was never dealt with. This can result in increased repair costs and damage to your heating system. While it can be helpful to understand the most common reasons a unit might be blowing cold air, it’s always best to leave the work to the care of professionals.

There are a few common reasons for oil, gas and electric heaters to blow cold air. Some of the simplest reasons can help save you a call to your repair company. However, it’s still a good idea to get a complete inspection done before the winter season sets in to ensure problem-free operation.

When the weather warms up, another call can help remedy any issues that cropped up during the colder months. This will ensure everything in your Reading home is operating well. While some simple issues can be corrected on your own, all major repairs should be completed by a competent technician.

Heater Blows Cold Air When it Comes On

This may seem a bit obvious to some people, but a heating system does not immediately begin to blow hot air. It takes some time for the vents, coils and air currently in the system to warm up. If you’re expecting the system to immediately output warm air, you’re going to be in for a bit of disappointment.

The system will not immediately begin warming the house. It’s just like the heater in your car. You can’t expect it to warm up immediately, and this is especially true the colder it gets outside.

However, if the system still doesn’t warm the house after about 30 minutes, you’ll want to call a technician to come and inspect the problem. A new furnace can help speed things up a bit and warm up your house sooner. You can also invest in better insulation and have your ducts professionally cleaned to ensure that the air can flow freely without obstructions.

Unless you smell any unusual smells or the heating unit just doesn’t work at all, chances are good that your heating system is working properly. The same is true for your air conditioning unit. It won’t immediately start outputting cold air the moment it’s turned on.

Still, if you think your unit is taking longer to warm your home than it did in the past, it wouldn’t hurt to have a professional look at your system to make sure everything is running as it should. It costs far less to prevent an issue than it does to repair a unit that has failed completely. There are also new units available that can help reduce your energy costs and save money over the long haul.

The Thermostat Could Be Sabotaging You

If the temperature isn’t getting to the right level, you could be in need of a new thermostat. The thermostat controls how hot or cold your unit gets and it has a dramatic effect on the overall temperature. While it may seem obvious, make sure the thermostat is set higher than the temperature in your home.

You also need to check to make sure that your system is set to blow warm air in your Reading home. There are often three settings on your typical thermostat — air conditioning, heat and auto. If you choose the auto button and the system overheats the home, it will start blowing cold air to maintain the desired temperature.

Check the batteries in your thermostat as well. If the batteries are low, the system is likely to incorrectly gauge the temperature in your home. Not all thermostats use batteries. Some are connected to the house’s central power and only use the battery when the power gives out. In some cases, you could also have an electrical issue.

Avoiding the issue is the wrong way to go since you could end up with a hefty repair bill later on down the road. You’ll likely know it’s an electrical issue if you have to replace the batteries often.

The batteries don’t have to be completely dead for the thermostat to stop working. As the unit gets low on power, it is less capable of properly monitoring the inputs on the sensors.

It’s best to hire someone to come and check your thermostat out if you do need to replace the unit. Getting the right unit for your house is important. It also may be necessary to purchase a better thermostat that accurately determines the temperature in your home.

Sometimes the placement of the thermostat can be the culprit. You can avoid this by having a technician evaluate your home to determine the best placement and options for your unit.

The Size of the Unit

Even in newer homes, the size of the unit may cause issues. Bigger is not better. You want the right sized unit for your home and nothing more or less. There is a proper size for any home, and knowing how big of a unit to get is crucial to getting the best performance. Modern furnaces are designed to make your home as energy-efficient as possible.

If you have the wrong size heater in your home, you could end up wasting energy. It could cause the system to work too hard, and this could result in the system breaking down prematurely.

A unit that is too big will heat your home too quickly. This may sound like a good thing, but it results in your home’s insulation not getting heated properly.

The warm air won’t effectively penetrate the insulation, which means you won’t have a properly warmed house. The unit will have to kick in several times per day, which leaves you with higher energy costs and a less efficient unit.

A small unit will run continuously to try to get the right temperature for the home. It won’t have the right amount of power to heat your home.

While you may not want to hear it, the best option is to sell your mismatched unit and get one that is appropriate for you home. An improperly sized unit can end up costing you a significant amount of money over the life of your home.

Another related issue is the overall size of the air filter. If you have an air filter that doesn’t fit the vents in your home, you may be wasting energy. The filter is important for improving the air quality in your home, and you need to replace it at regular intervals to prevent the system from overworking.

All the filters in your home should be changed regularly, and you will want to make sure you choose the right filter for the size and strength of the unit.

A professional can help you select the right filter for your needs. Not only will a properly fitted filter improve your air quality, it can save you money in operating costs and potential repairs.

For the best service in the Reading, PA area, call The Plumbing Works at (610) 929-8860 and schedule an appointment.