Is Your Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air? Here’s What It Means

In this brief article brought to you by the HVAC services professionals at Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air, we shed light on some common reasons why you furnace might be failing at blowing hot air. If you’d rather cut to the chase and schedule a furnace repair, then call Rooter Hero to hire a trained and experienced HVAC technician.

How Does a Gas Furnace Work?

While there are electric-powered furnaces, the information in this article is tailored for gas-powered ones. A gas-powered furnace heats your building through a simple but effective process:

1.     Thermostat Signals Heat: When your home gets chilly, the thermostat tells the furnace to turn on.

2.     Gas Ignition: The furnace ignites natural gas in the burner to create heat.

3.     Heat Exchanger Warms Up: The heat from the burner warms up a metal component called the heat exchanger.

4.     Blower Fan Distributes Heat: The blower fan pushes air over the heat exchanger to warm it before sending it through your home’s ducts.

5.     Exhaust is Vented Out: The combustion gases safely exit through a vent pipe to keep your air clean.

Even from these simplified steps, you can see how there are so many parts at play. Each of these components can break down and cause issues. So, why exactly is YOUR furnace not blowing hot air?

Why Is My Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air?

If your furnace is running but not blowing hot air, then we’ve got to troubleshoot by assessing each possibility. There are quite a few culprits to review:

1.     Thermostat Issues: Sometimes, the problem isn’t the furnace itself but the thermostat settings. Make sure the thermostat is set to ‘heat mode,’ the fan setting is on ‘auto,’ and the temperature setting is higher than the current room temperature.

2.     Dirty Air Filter: A clogged air filter can block airflow and even overheat and shut down the furnace. Replace your air filters once per season for best air flow.

3.     Pilot Light or Ignition Problems: If the pilot light is out or the igniter is faulty, the furnace won’t heat properly.Relighting a pilot light is simple, but it can be dangerous.

4.     Gas Supply Issues: Make sure the gas valve is open and check if other gas appliances in your home are working. If you suspect a gas leak, leave your home and call the responsible authorities ASAP.

5.     Blocked or Closed Vents: Blocked vents restrict airflow and prevent warm air from circulating properly. Walk through your home and make sure that all vents are open and unobstructed.

To be clear, this is NOT an exhaustive list of possibilities – but it does highlight the usual suspects. For comprehensive troubleshooting, consider hiring an HVAC service professional or referring to your unit’s owner manual.

Tips to Prevent Future Furnace Problems

Some call it cliché, but we call it common sense that’s worth repeating: An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. If you want to avoid HVAC headaches, then keep up with furnace maintenance. Here are some measures that can save you from issues down the road:

• Change the air filters once per season (4 times a year) at least.
• Schedule an annual inspection before the cold season.
• Keep vents and ducts clean.
• Check the thermostat batteries and replace them if needed.

Rooter Hero Plumbing & Air is proud to offer HVAC maintenance services if you’re looking for experienced professionals. Call or message us today to schedule a convenient appointment.