Heat in your home during the colder months is essential. It can mean the difference between a comfortable environment and one that is completely inhospitable.

In order to ensure that you are comfortable, you probably depend on your heater a lot. However, often things can and do go wrong with it. Your heater may start blowing only cold air.

When this happens you will probably want to know, why is the heater blowing cold air? In order to troubleshoot this problem, you will need some guidance. Here is a look at what you need to know.

1. Why is the Heater Blowing Cold Air?

The fact is that there are several reasons why the heater could be blowing cold air. One of the first things you should check is your breaker. Often the breaker will trip and prevent the heater from functioning properly.

If you have a gas furnace this is still relevant to you because gas furnaces usually have an electric starter. This electric starter is used to ignite the furnace.

2. Check Your Flame Sensor

Your flame sensor may be dirty. The flame sensor tells the gas heating unit to turn on. It also tells warm air to cycle through the heater.

When the sensor is dirty it will often not recognize if your burners are turned on. A dirty sensor can prevent ignition as well. The end result is that cold air is passed through the heater.

3. Your Heat Pump May Be Covered

Another common reason why your heater may not be working is that your heat pump may have been covered in snow.

The heat pump can also malfunction if it is low in refrigerant or has bad valves. Check your metering device as well. If any of these are bad you will need to get professional help.

4. Check the Pilot Light

If the gas supply to the furnace is interrupted then the pilot light on the furnace will go out. When this happens this will make the heater blow cold air.

Check the manual that came with the furnace, it will usually contain instructions on how to relight your furnace. If after you have re-lit your furnace it will not stay lit then you need professional help.

5. Is Your Thermostat Working?

If you keep your thermostat in the on position instead of the auto position the furnace will run continually.

This means that the furnace will be running even when it’s not on the heat cycle. All you need to do is adjust the thermostat. Check the thermostat batteries as well to make sure they are functioning correctly.

Get Warmed Up

You now know the answer to, why is the heater blowing cold air? If you find this happening be sure to troubleshoot your breaker, flame sensor, heat pump, pilot light, and thermostat.

More than likely something has gone wrong with one or more of them. Often you can fix the issue yourself.

If you find that you cannot fix it yourself then you can hire professionals. When you need professional help do not hesitate to contact us.