Home Garden

My Central Heat Is Blowing Cold

A central heating system blowing cold air may be a sign of trouble or just a unit coming back online after a long summer off. Proper maintenance of your home heating equipment can eliminate issues that may cause the unit to blow cold air. This also extends the useful life of the system.
  1. Winter Frost Problems

    • Testing your central heating operation before the first yearly frost is necessary to ensure that moving parts haven't corroded during the summer months. Moving components in your central heating system can freeze if you wait until after the first yearly frost to turn the heat on. Frozen parts prevent the central heating system from generating warm air and increase strain on properly working components. According to Servicemagic's website, examination by a certified repair technician is necessary to properly diagnose the central heating problem.

    Clogged Furnace Filters

    • Clogged furnace filters inhibit your heating system's ability to send hot air through vents and into various rooms of your house. These impediments can make your furnace work harder to produce a comfortable level of heat or block heat coming through your vents altogether. Yearly filter replacement is necessary to prevent buildup that can cause clogs. Blockages in central heating system filters can present significant fire hazards if you allow these clogs to completely block air vents. Breakdown in furnace components can also occur from the system working harder to heat your home.

    Pilot Light Problems

    • The pilot light in your home heating system may be the cause of your lack of sufficient warm air. According to Servicemagic, the pilot flame of your fuel-burning system should always be solid blue. A flame flickering yellow or orange can indicate a heating unit that isn't reaching an optimal heating temperature. Only a licensed repair technician can examine a pilot light issue and determine the exact cause of the problem. Attempting to repair the heating unit on your own without sufficient experience could result in serious injury or death.

    Combination Boiler Issues

    • If your home uses a combination boiler to heat the property, a pressure buildup during the summer months could be causing cold air to push through the system. This air will take some time to exit through your boiler's vents before warm air begins to fill your home. If pressure within the combination boiler drops too low during this process, the system may shut down completely. Recharging the system by adding water to the tank is the only way to restore normal pressure. Consult your combination boiler's user manual for precise instructions for your specific device.