Why Your Furnace Is Blowing Cold Air And When To Call For Help

It’s cold outside, so you crank up the heat on your furnace. Instead of getting a welcoming rush of warm air, you get a chilly blast instead.

For local homeowners, this type of experience can feel incredibly stressful. If you have young children or elderly family members at home, it can even be dangerous.

Fortunately, a furnace blowing cold air is often a normal symptom. However, it can be a warning sign of a potential problem, so it’s essential to understand when you need to call for help.

When a Furnace Blowing “Cold” Air Is Actually Normal

There are a few indications that a furnace blowing cold air is a part of its normal operations.

At Start Up, the Air May Feel Cold for a Minute or Two

When the heating cycle first starts, there is still cold air in the ducts. Once the furnace has a chance to warm up, this issue will go away.

The Thermostat Fan Is Set to “On” Instead of “Auto”

You should also check your fan settings. If the fan is in “On” mode, the fan will run all the time instead of just during heating cycles. The air may be cold if the furnace isn’t actively running.

Having the fan in “On” mode helps ensure even temperatures in every room and good airflow. However, you can easily switch it to “Auto” mode if you want it to only run when the burners are on.

The Furnace Is in a Short Cool-Down Cycle

Certain heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will run the blower for a short period of time after the burners switch off. As long as your home is warm and comfortable, you don’t have to worry about temporary periods of cold air at the end of the cycle.

Normal Temperature Difference at the Registers

Even though the air is warm, it might not feel hot to your hand. The real question is whether your home is able to reach and maintain the temperature on your thermostat.

When a Furnace Blowing Cold Air Points to a Problem

You may need to reach out for emergency repairs if you experience the following symptoms.

The Air Stays Cold the Entire Time the Furnace Is Running

This type of issue often indicates a problem with your burners, gas supply, or ignition.

The Furnace Turns on and off Quickly and Blows Lukewarm Air

Because this could be due to a safety limit tripping, a dirty filter, or overheating, it’s a good idea to get your furnace looked at by a professional.

The Burner Lights but Won’t Stay On

Often, you’ll notice a brief period of warm air followed by cold air if there is a problem with your flame sensor or safety controls. Because safety issues can result in gas leaks, fires, and electrical hazards, it’s essential to call a professional instead of just resetting the unit.

Thermostat Problems Making the Furnace Misbehave

Incorrect settings, the wrong mode, or a faulty thermostat can lead to this problem. If adjusting the settings and mode doesn’t work, it may be time for a thermostat replacement.

Issues With Ductwork or Airflow

Duct leaks, blocked vents, and disconnected ducts can result in airflow issues and colder air. You can try opening and unblocking vents on your own. If this isn’t enough, schedule professional repairs.

Simple Checks You Can Safely Do Before Calling Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical

Before you reach out for help, try performing the following troubleshooting steps.

Confirm Thermostat Settings

Make sure that your thermostat is in “Heat” mode with the fan on “Auto.” The temperature should be several degrees above your current room temperature.

Check and Replace the Air Filter

Filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days, but this should occur more frequently during periods of heavy usage. Otherwise, a dirty filter can reduce airflow and cause overheating. In turn, overheating can lead to short cycling and cold air.

Look at Vents and Returns Around the House

Make sure furniture and rugs aren’t obstructing the registers. Then, clear dirty or blocked return grilles. For proper airflow, all of the vents should be open.

Check the Furnace Power Switch and Breaker

Make sure your furnace switch is in the “On” position. See if there is a tripped breaker on your electrical panel. You can try to reset it once. If it trips again, call for professional help.

Safety First: Cold Air Issues You Should Not Ignore

To ensure the safety of your home and family, never ignore the following issues.

Signs It Is Time To Shut the Furnace Off

If you experience the following signs, immediately turn the furnace off.

• There’s a strong odor of gas or rotten eggs.
• There is a burning smell or an electrical odor that won’t go away.
• Your carbon monoxide alarm went off.
• You see visible damage, such as melted wires or scorch marks, around the unit.

Situations Where DIY Can Make Things Worse

When dealing with furnace problems, avoid doing the following things.

• Don’t just reset a furnace repeatedly if it keeps shutting off.
• Never clean or adjust burners or flame sensors on your own. Call a technician instead.
• Don’t work on any safety controls or gas lines.

How Rogue Valley Handles Cold Air Complaints

When you reach out to Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical for cold air issues, our experienced technicians will remedy the problem in a few key ways.

• Diagnosis: We’ll carefully diagnose the root cause instead of simply guessing or swapping parts.
• Inspection: As a part of our diagnosis, we will check your airflow, ignition, burners, ducts, and safety controls.
• Explanation: Finally, we’ll explain the results of our testing and recommended course of action.

Preventing Cold Air Problems in the Future

To prevent your furnace from blowing cold air in the future, remember the following steps.

Simple Habits That Help Your Furnace Run Smoothly

Open your vents, track your filter changes, and monitor any unusual changes.

Why Annual Furnace Maintenance Matters

Remember to schedule your annual furnace tune-up to ensure proper ignition and airflow. Besides protecting the safety of your family, routine maintenance can help you avoid repairs, improve your energy efficiency, and catch worn parts before they fail unexpectedly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Furnaces Blowing Cold Air

Why does my furnace sometimes blow cold air at the start of a cycle?

This is because the air in the ducts is cold. Once the furnace has had a chance to warm up, the air won’t feel so cold.

How long should it take for the air to feel warm?

You might start noticing that your home feels warmer after 15 minutes or so. However, it generally takes around an hour for your indoor air temperature to really heat up.

Is it safe to keep running the furnace if the air feels only slightly warm?

If your furnace is struggling to heat your home or has to run nonstop to maintain the temperature, there is something wrong with it. Schedule professional furnace repairs so that you don’t end up with an unexpected furnace failure in the middle of winter.

Why does my furnace keep shutting off and then blowing cool air?

While a few different issues can cause this, it is often due to overheating. If the furnace gets too hot, the high-limit switch shuts the burners off. Alternatively, the flame sensor may have triggered the furnace to shut off. Once the furnace is off, the fan keeps running to help the furnace cool down.

Can Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical fix cold air issues on all furnace brands?

Absolutely. Our team has years of experience working with local homeowners to diagnose and repair furnace issues. For a professional furnace inspection or repairs, give us a call today.

Still Getting Cold Air From Your Furnace? Rogue Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical Can Help

There are many normal reasons why you might feel cold air coming from your furnace. However, you should immediately call for help if the air never warms up or the furnace keeps shutting down. If you smell or see anything unusual, schedule your next furnace service right away.

With the help of our experienced technicians in Grants Pass, you can get help diagnosing problems and getting your furnace working again. Schedule an HVAC appointment today for help.