As the temperature dips low, we all rely on our furnaces for our homes in Toronto. But as you flip that switch, you are surprised as a different air greets you. If you came across this article, you might have wondered, “why is my furnace blowing cold air instead of heat?”
While it would trigger frustration to get some warmth, you will also be thinking about wasting money without getting the comfort you need. We can all agree that it is a very stressful scenario but don’t panic yet. Set your distress aside and place that call to your trusted technician, especially if it’s incredibly freezing. While waiting for their arrival, here are a few things that you need to know about this situation.
Your air filters may be dirty.
Have you repeatedly chanted “why is my furnace blowing cold air instead of heat?” in your head? While you may want to beat yourself up with that thought, give your air filters a check-up.
Air filters are there to “filter” your indoor air as it goes through the ducts. As time passes, those pollutants such as dirt and debris get trapped. Accumulation of those materials leads to a blockage that restricts the airflow to the system. Once airflow is insufficient, the heat exchanger builds heat without dispersing it. As a result, overheating of the furnace takes place and shuts down the entire operation. Without proper function, no heat exchange will happen; hence, the system will disperse no heat.
Your furnace is already up for retirement.
Instead of asking, “why is my furnace blowing cold air instead of heat?” recall your furnace’s age. Ask yourself how long has your furnace been rendering its services to your home.
The usual life expectancy for furnaces is around 15 – 20 years. If your furnace starts malfunctioning frequently and blowing cold air instead of a heated one, it might signal that it needs replacement. Even if you religiously schedule constant maintenance checks with your contractor, system components wear and tear over time. It is inevitable to replace your heating system, especially if it starts giving you frequent issues. If you are worried about the upfront cost, think of how much money you spend on repairs without getting anywhere.
Your furnace hasn’t fully warmed up yet.
We know how you want rapid heating right away, especially when in the middle of a brutal winter day. It is why asking ” “why is my furnace blowing cold air instead of heat?” too early may not be appropriate.
In a world where we are used to getting everything in a tap to a screen, we want things done fast. Unfortunately, this is not how your heating system works. While its first few blows could feel icy, give it a few minutes before worrying. Heat exchange doesn’t happen right with a flip of a switch. Energy transfer takes time, and a whole system deals with this. Before warm air dispersion occurs, it goes through parts and processes. If, after 10-15 minutes, your furnace still blows cold air, place a call to your trusted contractor.
