Why Is My Heater Not Blowing Hot Air?

Is Your Heater Not Blowing Hot Air?

The weather has cooled down in the Tennessee Valley which means we’ll be heating our homes on a regular basis. When that burst of warm air comes through the vents to warm our cold noses, it’s the best feeling! However, what if that air never gets warm? If you’re experiencing a chilly breeze blowing through your home when the heater is running, something isn’t right. Check out these possible causes and solutions for why this might be happening.

Thermostat

If you feel cold air blowing out of the vents in your home, it may not be your furnace’s fault. A likely culprit could be your thermostat, especially if the batteries haven’t been changed in a  while. If the batteries in your thermostat are running low, simply change them out and the heat should run fine. If this doesn’t solve the problem, check to make sure your thermostat is set to “auto” and not “on.” If the thermostat is set to “on,” air will constantly blow through your system, whether the heater is running or not. This will leave you with cold air blowing through your house at times, and it can run up your energy bill.

It’s also possible, if you’ve bought a new thermostat recently, that the new thermostat you’ve installed yourself is not compatible with your heating system. If you think this might be the case, contact a professional from Environmental Comfort Systems. We can ensure you have the correct products that safely work with your system. Lastly, make sure you’re not in a thermostat war with a family member or coworker. If you are, settle on one temperature together and ensure it stays there.

Filter

If you haven’t changed your filter in a while, this could be the cause of a poor heat and air flow in your home. After checking the thermostat, change your air filter. A clogged filter restricts air flow into your home and can even cause your system to deny requests for heat. If your furnace is built with an automatic shutoff to prevent the burner from overheating when air flow is restricted, then you won’t be getting any heat until the system has a clean filter. This also creates inefficiency, leaving you with high energy bills and uncomfortable living conditions. Change your filter every 1-2 months to avoid this.

System Source

If checking the thermostat and changing the filter doesn’t solve the problem, check the source. For electric furnaces and heat pumps, ensure they’re turned on. If they are, ensure the breaker connected to the system is turned on as well. If you have a furnace powered by oil, ensure there is oil in the tank. If not, just refill it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Lastly, and most commonly, if you have a gas powered furnace, ensure the supply-valve is open. If not, the gas can’t reach the burners and they’ll never ignite.

Ductwork

Unfortunately, builder-grade ductwork is easily subjected to wear and tear over short periods of time. Your ductwork could have developed cracks or loose ends letting the heat out of your system, letting cold air in your system, and causing system issues. This can create a cold and polluted atmosphere in your home since air is entering the system past the filter. Have your ducts repaired and cleaned by professionals to prevent bigger issues from arising.

What’s Next?

There are many other culprits that could cause your system to not blow hot air. It’s important to keep all aspects of your system clean such as sensors, the burner, the gas valve, and the condensate line. These components of your heating system can be easily checked with regular preventive maintenance from Environmental Comfort Systems.

Who We Are

Environmental Comfort Systems is a trusted American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in Decatur, AL. We care about the comfort of your whole home, and often provide tips and inspiration for home projects and whole home comfort. 

If you have a question about your home’s HVAC system, give us a call today at 256-308-0032 or email us at info@envcomfort.com. We make recommendations on a home-by-home basis to ensure you get exactly what you need for your home and your family. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!