Why Is My Furnace Not Heating? – HVAC 101

Is there anything worse than discovering your heater is not working? We all know that winters in Kalamazoo can get cold. Like really, really cold. But, somehow, we still forget to test our heating systems before the temperature drops.

And then we hit the power switch and, filled with terror, we realize that it’s blowing cold air.

So, what is a homeowner to do? How do you get your system to work properly? Do you need to call an HVAC technician? Well, hold your horses, because it might not be necessary to schedule a furnace repair just yet.

Easy Reasons Your Heating System Isn’t Working

Thermostat Settings

First things first, let’s check your thermostat. If this is the first time you’re firing up your furnace, it may not be in heat mode. Or, if you use a programmable thermostat, its temperature settings may be set too low.

Dirty Air Filter

Dirty or clogged air filters can overwork the heat exchanger in your HVAC system, which can cause it to overheat and deactivate. And, since it’s super easy to change your furnace’s air filter, this can be a fast, inexpensive solution to the problem of an HVAC system that isn’t properly heating.

Or, even worse, it can lead to a cracked heat exchanger, which can lead to deadly gasses leaking into your home. To ensure safety, be sure to inspect your furnace filter every few months.

Tripped Breakers

If this is the first time you’re turning on your heating system, it’s possible that it’s overloaded the circuit. Luckily, this is an easy fix. Locate your home’s circuit breaker and reset tripped breakers. And, yes, this applies even if you have a gas furnace, as it relies on an electric starter to light its burner.

It’s also possible your furnace has an internal fuse box, which you should check if you don’t see any household breakers that need to be reset.

Blocked Vents

Lastly, you should check your home’s vents and air ducts. Are they obstructed by furniture? Or, are they blocked by rugs, boxes, or clutter? If you restrict airflow, it can result in uneven temperatures. Worse yet, it can damage the ducts and components of your HVAC system.

What Type of Furnace Do You Have?

Electric Furnace

Electrical problems are the most common issues people have with their heater. But, generally, these issues will require the expertise of an HVAC professional. For example, you may have a damaged heating element, a faulty limit control, or a broken sequencer. If the troubleshooting steps above didn’t fix your heater’s issue, you should call a certified HVAC technician.

Gas Furnace

If you’ve already checked your furnace filter and your furnace is still blowing cool air, you might have a larger issue. With gas furnaces, this could mean contaminated burners, a pilot light that’s gone out, or a disruption to your system’s gas supply.

But, be careful! You should never mess with your gas line. Like, never. Never. If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, you should immediately evacuate your home and call a professional.

Need Help Getting Your Furnace Working Correctly?

At R.W. LaPine, we are the most trusted HVAC contractor in Kalamazoo. For nearly a century, we have provided area residents with high-quality heating repair. With the ability to service your entire system, we can help with heaters, air flow, heat pumps, thermostat issues, and more.

We are Kalamazoo’s go-to team for all heating and cooling issues.

So, if you’re wondering why your furnace is blowing cold air, don’t panic! Just be sure to double check the common issues we’ve described above. And, of course, if you’re still having trouble, don’t hesitate to call us today.