Nothing is more infuriating in the chill of a Raleigh winter than turning on your heating system and receiving nothing but cold air blowing through the vents. It's a simple issue that can leave you scrambling for blankets and wondering what you did wrong. While some of them may be simple do-it-yourself fixes, others require the services of a professional heating repair service to fix safely and efficiently.
At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, we understand the inconvenience and anxiety that comes with a malfunctioning heating system. We're your trusted, veteran-owned heating repair company in Raleigh, committed to providing affordable, quality HVAC repair and replacement. Before you call for assistance, take these common troubleshooting steps you can perform to find out why your heating system blows cold air.
Before you reach for the phone, work through these simple checks. You'd be surprised how often the solution is something so simple:
The most frequent reason for heating issues is a clogged, grimy air filter. When it's really clogged up, it simply doesn't permit free airflow and overheats your furnace. Safety limit switches usually turn off the heating element to avoid damage, but the fan will continue to blow, blowing unheated air.
Locate your furnace's air filter (usually in the return air duct or within the furnace unit) and check it. If dirty, it must be replaced with a new one. Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC's heating service Raleigh includes checking of filters and replacing customer-supplied ones.
Walk through your home and ensure all the return air registers and heating vents are open and not obstructed by rugs, furniture, or drapes. Blocked vents restrict airflow, leading to uneven heating and the potential to overheat the furnace, which can lead to cold air blowing.
If your gas furnace is an older type that has a pilot light, check to see if the flame is lit. It should be a steady blue flame. If it is not lit, you can try to relight it as directed on the label or owner's manual that came with your furnace. Take care to follow safety guidelines closely. If the pilot light continues to go out, something is amiss, such as a faulty thermocouple or a problem with the gas supply.
You've walked through the preliminary troubleshooting procedures and your heating system continues to blow cold air it's time to have a professional heating repair company do the work. Such issues generally relate to complex internal components or safety factors that must be addressed only by qualified professionals such as Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC.
When your heater malfunctions, you need prompt, reliable service. At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, our goal is to provide affordable high-quality HVAC repair and replacement services to the residents of NC. As a veteran-owned enterprise, we value time and strive for perfection. Our authorized technicians will utilize their knowledge and complete the job on time so that you can receive quick, quality service that you can trust. By choosing Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, you are assured of getting the job done right.
We proudly serve Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Creedmoor, and Surrounding Areas.
This usually indicates failure of the heating element or ignition system (e.g., faulty igniter, insufficient gas supply), but the fan continues to run, circulating unheated air.
Only if you're sure you're comfortable following the manufacturer's specific instructions and safety guidelines on your furnace. If there's a gas smell or the pilot light continues to blow out, call in a professional heating repair technician immediately.
For optimum performance and to prevent cold air issues, professional heating service Raleigh must be conducted annually, ideally in autumn prior to heat activation.
Yes, a very plugged-up filter restricts air flow, and your furnace will overheat. The limit switch on the furnace will cut the burners to prevent damage, but the fan can still circulate cold, unheated air.
A furnace heats by burning fuel (oil/gas) or electric heating coils. A heat pump moves heat from one area to another. If a furnace is blowing cold air, more than likely it's an ignition or combustion issue. If a heat pump is blowing cold air, low refrigerant, a defrost cycle, or a faulty reversing valve may be the issue.
The feeling of cold air from your heating system is a clear sign that something is amiss. Some issues are simple to fix, but others require the services of a professional heating repair company. Be safe and warm with your family by knowing when to fix it yourself and when to tap into the services of the professionals.
For dependable, high-grade heating repair in Raleigh, NC, rely on Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC. Don't freeze! Call us today at (919) 348-9399 to have your heat restored!
At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, we understand the inconvenience and anxiety that comes with a malfunctioning heating system. We're your trusted, veteran-owned heating repair company in Raleigh, committed to providing affordable, quality HVAC repair and replacement. Before you call for assistance, take these common troubleshooting steps you can perform to find out why your heating system blows cold air.
Basic Checks You Can Do (DIY Troubleshooting)
Before you reach for the phone, work through these simple checks. You'd be surprised how often the solution is something so simple:
Check Your Thermostat Settings
- Is it set to "Heat"? Thought you knew this one, but occasionally it gets switched off or to "Cool" by accident.
- Is the fan set to "Auto" or "On"? If set to "On", the fan circulates air continuously, whether the heating cycle is on or not, and this causes cold air to circulate. Switch it to "Auto" so the fan will blow only when the furnace is actually heating.
- Is the temperature setting high enough? Ensure your desired temperature is quite a bit higher than the room temperature.
- Check Batteries: If your thermostat is battery operated and the screen is dim or blank, dead batteries may be the problem.
Check the Air Filter
The most frequent reason for heating issues is a clogged, grimy air filter. When it's really clogged up, it simply doesn't permit free airflow and overheats your furnace. Safety limit switches usually turn off the heating element to avoid damage, but the fan will continue to blow, blowing unheated air.
Locate your furnace's air filter (usually in the return air duct or within the furnace unit) and check it. If dirty, it must be replaced with a new one. Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC's heating service Raleigh includes checking of filters and replacing customer-supplied ones.
Check for Power Issues
- Furnace Power Switch: Ensure that the power switch near your furnace (which typically looks like a normal light switch) is in the "ON" position. It can sometimes be accidentally flipped.
- Circuit Breaker: Go to your home electrical panel and examine the circuit breaker labeled for your furnace or HVAC equipment. If it has tripped, reset it by switching it completely off and then back on. If it trips right away again, do not reset it repeatedly; this indicates a more serious electrical issue requiring professional attention.
Check Vents and Registers
Walk through your home and ensure all the return air registers and heating vents are open and not obstructed by rugs, furniture, or drapes. Blocked vents restrict airflow, leading to uneven heating and the potential to overheat the furnace, which can lead to cold air blowing.
Check the Pilot Light (Gas Furnaces Only)
If your gas furnace is an older type that has a pilot light, check to see if the flame is lit. It should be a steady blue flame. If it is not lit, you can try to relight it as directed on the label or owner's manual that came with your furnace. Take care to follow safety guidelines closely. If the pilot light continues to go out, something is amiss, such as a faulty thermocouple or a problem with the gas supply.
When To Call a Professional Heating Repair Company
You've walked through the preliminary troubleshooting procedures and your heating system continues to blow cold air it's time to have a professional heating repair company do the work. Such issues generally relate to complex internal components or safety factors that must be addressed only by qualified professionals such as Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC.
Bad Ignition System (Igniter/Thermocouple)
- Symptom: Your furnace cycles on, you hear a clicking sound (from the igniter trying to light), but the burners will not ignite, or the pilot light will not stay lit after being re-lit.
- Why: These components are used to safely ignite the gas. They must be clean or replaced, or the furnace won't get the signal to start the heat cycle.
- Professional Fix: Replacement of the igniter or thermocouple, or a complete cleaning and realignment.
Blower Motor Issues
- Symptom: The fan will create airflow, or the furnace will seem to try to run, but you won't receive any heat. You'll experience grinding or squealing noises from the machine.
- Why: The motor that is utilized in order to drive hot air through your ductwork can be wearing down due to worn bearings, a cracked capacitor, or too much heat.
- Professional Fix: Lubrication, changing the capacitor, or complete motor repair/replacement.
Low Refrigerant (Only Heat Pumps)
- Symptom: If you have a heat pump (one that heats and one that cools), cold air blowing from vents when it is in heating mode, or ice on the outdoor unit, low refrigerant could be the issue.
- Why: Low refrigerant is almost always due to a leak somewhere in the system, and not simply running out.
- Professional Fix: Our technicians who are EPA-licensed will identify and repair the leak, recharge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant.
Blocked Condensate Drain Line (High-Efficiency Furnaces/Heat Pumps)
- Symptom: With high-efficiency heat pumps or furnaces, you will notice water puddling on the floor near the unit, or the system shutting down completely or blowing cold air due to a safety switch that was triggered.
- Why: These systems cause condensation to form, which drains away. When algae or debris clogs the drain line, it overflows and trips a safety float switch.
- Professional Fix: Ricing out the clog, inspecting the drain system, and confirming proper drainage.
Gas Line Problems or Carbon Monoxide Leaks
- Symptom: You smell natural gas, notice an ongoing burning odor, your carbon monoxide detector activates, or the pilot flame is orange/yellow instead of blue (which means incomplete combustion).
- Why: These are not desirable signs. A gas leak is very dangerous. An orange/yellow flame could be a sign of a combustion problem that might lead to carbon monoxide production, perhaps due to a cracked heat exchanger.
- Professional Action: This is an important safety concern. Shut off your gas supply, evacuate your home, and call emergency responders (such as your gas utility or fire service), and then call a qualified heating repair company like Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC to have a thorough check and repair. As part of our fall maintenance, Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC also checks for carbon monoxide in gas-burning appliances.
Why Choose Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC as Your Heater Repair Company
When your heater malfunctions, you need prompt, reliable service. At Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, our goal is to provide affordable high-quality HVAC repair and replacement services to the residents of NC. As a veteran-owned enterprise, we value time and strive for perfection. Our authorized technicians will utilize their knowledge and complete the job on time so that you can receive quick, quality service that you can trust. By choosing Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC, you are assured of getting the job done right.
We proudly serve Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Creedmoor, and Surrounding Areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why would my furnace blower run but no heat is being generated?
This usually indicates failure of the heating element or ignition system (e.g., faulty igniter, insufficient gas supply), but the fan continues to run, circulating unheated air.
2. Is it advisable to try to relight my pilot light myself?
Only if you're sure you're comfortable following the manufacturer's specific instructions and safety guidelines on your furnace. If there's a gas smell or the pilot light continues to blow out, call in a professional heating repair technician immediately.
3. How frequently should I have my heating system professionally serviced?
For optimum performance and to prevent cold air issues, professional heating service Raleigh must be conducted annually, ideally in autumn prior to heat activation.
4. Will a dirty filter really cause my furnace to blow cold air?
Yes, a very plugged-up filter restricts air flow, and your furnace will overheat. The limit switch on the furnace will cut the burners to prevent damage, but the fan can still circulate cold, unheated air.
5. How is a furnace different from a heat pump when handling cold air?
A furnace heats by burning fuel (oil/gas) or electric heating coils. A heat pump moves heat from one area to another. If a furnace is blowing cold air, more than likely it's an ignition or combustion issue. If a heat pump is blowing cold air, low refrigerant, a defrost cycle, or a faulty reversing valve may be the issue.
The feeling of cold air from your heating system is a clear sign that something is amiss. Some issues are simple to fix, but others require the services of a professional heating repair company. Be safe and warm with your family by knowing when to fix it yourself and when to tap into the services of the professionals.
For dependable, high-grade heating repair in Raleigh, NC, rely on Ultra Air Heating & Cooling, LLC. Don't freeze! Call us today at (919) 348-9399 to have your heat restored!