Furnaces are an important feature of modern-day homes. They allow homeowners to be comfortable throughout their homes with consistent heating. Individuals who have zone-controlled thermostats can get the most out of their heating systems and save money by adjusting the heat for each zoned location.

A broken furnace is a major inconvenience, and the issue often happens at the worst time. During the coldest days of the year, HVAC contractors are often overwhelmed with calls from individuals who need heater repairs. Furnaces blowing cold air is a commonly reported issue. The following points highlight a few reasons this phenomenon occurs.

Dirty Air Filter

Some homeowners forget to change their air filters. They may not even remember the last time they did this important HVAC self-maintenance task. Air filters get clogged with a variety of substances such as dirt, pollen, dust, animal fur, and mold spores. Severely clogged air filters impede airflow. Warm air cannot push through, so it will cause the furnace to overheat. Safety features in the furnace will react to the overheating issue and produce cool air. Frequent overheating may cause serious damage to a furnace that will require heater repairs or a premature furnace replacement.

Damaged Ductwork

The ductwork in homes has an impressive life expectancy that can span a couple of decades. However, at some point, it will need to be replaced. Damaged ductwork will have cracks or holes. This is caused by the gradual degradation from exposure to moisture. It is also possible for rodents to damage ductwork. The furnace in a home may not be the culprit. It may be producing warm air as intended. However, the warm air may not make it through to the home due to it leaking out through the damaged ductwork. An HVAC contractor can determine if there are furnace repair and ductwork issues or only one problem.

Low Gas Supply

Furnaces are designed to detect whether there is enough gas coming through the lines to supply energy. If there is not, the furnace will not attempt to heat and blow cold air instead. This is a complex heater repair issue because technicians have to analyze why the gas supply is low. Sometimes the gas provider may also need to be active in this type of repair. 

An HVAC contractor is a good resource to use to determine the exact reason a furnace is blowing cold air. They can inspect, troubleshoot, and make repairs. Sometimes furnaces start to exhibit signs that they have reached the end of their lifespan. Homeowners who have frequent repair issues should consider whether it is time to get a furnace replacement. A replacement furnace would come with a warranty and is less likely to have repair issues for several years. Furnace maintenance is an effective way to ensure that these heating appliances last through to their estimated lifespan. For more furnace repair advice, reach out to a local service.