3 Reasons Why Your Heater is Blowing Cold Air

It is never a good sign if your heater is emitting cold air. This problem can cause discomfort and frustration during the cold winter months, especially if it is frequent. If you notice a change in the temperature of the air your heater is blowing, troubleshoot with these simple steps.

1. It may not be a mechanical problem.

Usually, Las Vegas area HVAC technicians will first ask you if you've had cold air coming out of your heater during uncommonly frigid or snowy weather. This is because a common problem with your heater is, well, that there is no problem at all. Heaters simply take more time to come up to the desired temperature when it is very cold. The oil furnace or heater may take even longer to heat up a home if insulation is poor. Older furnaces also take longer to heat up.

It may seem like a given, but in these situations always check that someone else in the home hasn't simply adjusted the thermostat to a lower temperature. Your heater may just work harder during cold bouts and need to be readjusted to a more tolerable setting. Secure any gaps under doors leading to the outside to prevent hot air from escaping, and invest in thermal curtains if needed.

Another easy fix is replacing the batteries in your thermostat. If the batteries are close to dying, your thermostat can go haywire and transmit false temperature instructions to your heater. Double check that the batteries are inserted correctly.

2. Leaks in Ducts

A leak in the heat ducts of your Las Vegas home can cause your heater to blow cold air. In this situation, the warmth from your heater is drawn out of the hole or tear and into the empty cold space where your ducts are located. You'll continue to lose heat this way. Also, a leak of very hot hair in a dry and cluttered space can cause other potential hazards and even fires in extreme cases.

You will need to patch up the leak in your duct if this is the problem. Ducts are located either in your attic or basement. Take caution when walking in your attic while checking for leaks to avoid breaking through the drywall of your ceiling. Feel around for bursts or pockets of hot air until you find the source of the leak. You can repair the leak with inexpensive sealants and special kinds of tape. Consult your local hardware store or HVAC specialist for more information.

3. Check heat sources.

If you're still uncertain as to why your heater is blowing cold air, the problem may be more complex. Your oil or gas furnace could be deprived of a heat source that you will need to restore.

With an oil furnace, your tank may just be out of oil. Make sure it has fuel.

The oil filter could also be clogged, which would block the fuel from reaching your furnace. To change it, first turn the furnace off. You must close the valve above the oil catch, then gently dislodge the oil catch by unscrewing the bolt on top.

If the filter is dark and filthy with dirt, unscrew the bolt at the bottom of the container (this screw holds it in place) and remove the filter. Wipe the container clean and simply replace the filter with a new one. Turn the oil valve back on. You should also check around the area of your furnace for leaks and spills. You still have to release the air that made its way inside the heater's burner while the oil filter was clogged.

Turn your heater on, then unscrew the release valve (it is recommended that you place something underneath the valve to catch the excess oil). Let your burner run until only oil is spewing out of the release valve and no air remains inside. Tighten the release valve to its original position.

If you have a gas heater, your pilot light is probably out. This is a common problem with an easy fix. It is very important to check for a gas leak before you try to ignite the pilot light. If you smell gas, call the fire department immediately.

First, check to see if the pilot light is burning. If there is no flame, turn the gas off. Put the thermostat on its lowest setting. Set the gas knob to pilot and press down the ignition button. For newer models you will simply set the heater back to the "On" setting. Wait until you hear the pilot light "whoosh" back on.

If your gas heater is older, you will likely need to ignite the flame manually with a barbecue lighter. Hold down on the gas button while holding the lighter over the pilot light burner. This step is easier to do with someone else's help. Once the flame ignites, continue holding down the gas button. This lets the heater acclimate to the flame and prevents the gas from being shut off. After a minute or two, let go. Set the gas back to the "On" Position.

If cold air is still coming out of your heater or if you're unsure about how to perform the above steps, Anytime Plumbing, Inc is always available in the Las Vegas, NV area to get your heater back up and running. Call them at (702) 362-9300 for all of your HVAC repair needs!