Hey! That’s Cold Air Coming from my Furnace!

You walk past your heating vent and feel a blast of cold air. That’s not normal. Here are some areas to check out if you are experiencing a chilly breeze from your heating source.

1. Whether your furnace is gas, electric, or oil, check the thermostat before you call for service.

• Is the temperature set at the correct level? If there is more than one person

who has access to your thermostat, be sure it’s set at a reasonable temperature

for heat.

• Is the fan set correctly? The fan needs to be set on AUTO, so it runs when the

 heat is on. A fan set to ON runs continuously and blows cold air when the

furnace isn’t on.

• Do you need a new battery? Oops!
• Be sure the thermostat is compatible with your heating system. They need

to communicate.

2. Have you checked your air filter? A dirty filter can restrict the flow of air and more. Not only are you keeping the warm air from flowing, but the furnace can also overheat, cause damage to other parts of the furnace, and end up being an expensive (and unnecessary) repair.

3. Is the pilot light on? If your furnace has a pilot light (new furnaces have an electronic ignition), you may need to relight it. Turn the pilot light to the OFF position and wait a few minutes for any residual gas to disperse before relighting. Carefully relight the flame using a match or lighter. Remember to turn the furnace back on.

4. Is the ductwork okay?  If there are leaks in the ductwork, cold air from inside your attic gets sucked into your ductwork. It mixes with the warm air from your furnace, causing the air coming from your vents to feel considerably cooler than it should.

5. Do you need more fuel? If you use propane or oil for your furnace, do you need a refill? Think about setting up regular deliveries, so you never need to think about it. Running out of gas (fuel)  gets you nowhere!

6. Is your flame sensor sensing? The flame sensor is a small part on the furnace that is very important for correct functioning of a furnace. It looks like a small, metallic rod and is usually bent. Its purpose is to sense that the fuel is being ignited by the flame. If it is corroded and dirty, fuel may continue being emitted even when it is not being lit. That odorless and invisible substance is not something you want in your home.

7. Are your supply vents closed? If you have rooms you don’t use in the winter, or if there are members of your household who don’t like it as warm as you do, the supply vents may get closed to keep the heat from warming up some rooms of your home. Too many closed vents “confuses” the heating system because it is designed to evenly heat the whole space. Try closing some of them and see if that helps.

Call Ranger Heating, Cooling, and Electric to have your furnace checked today. One of our expert technicians will inspect your furnace and clean, connect, and replace what needs to be so you can have a warm, comfortable home for the winter.