Imagine this: winter is at its peak, and you are on your way home from work, thinking about the warmth and comfort your electric heater would provide. You eagerly switch it on upon reaching home, and bam! Instead of hot air, you get a blast of cold air! You can’t help but question, “Why is my electric heater blowing cold air in house?” We understand how frustrating and uncomfortable this scenario is because many of us have faced it!
We know what your next question would be: “Do I ring up the tech wizards, or do I channel my inner DIY maestro?” In this article, we’ll explore why electric heaters blow cold air into the house instead of warmth. We’ll start with the most common reasons and then discuss the less likely ones.
10 Reasons Why Your Electric Heater Is Blowing Cold Air in House:
1. Thermostat Misconfiguration:
The Culprit Behind Cold Air This might sound super silly, but yes, the first thing you need to check when your electric heater is blowing cold air is your thermostat! Here are simple steps to ensure your thermostat is set correctly:
● Check the thermostat setting.
● Set it to ‘Auto,’ not ‘On.’
● ‘Auto’ mode ensures the furnace and fan work together as intended.
● ‘On’ mode makes the fan run continuously, even when the furnace is off.
Also read: The Best Micathermic Heaters For Your Room or Office
2. Your Furnace Needs Time to Warm Up!
When the season transitions from extremely hot to sweetly cold, and you’re using your furnace for the first time this season, there’s a 90% chance that it will take more time to warm up than usual. So, wait for at least 20 minutes after turning on the furnace!
3. Dirty Furnace Filter: A Common Culprit for Cold Air!
If you’re here because the first two points don’t apply to your furnace, things get serious from this point on. Electric heaters, like any other appliances or devices that circulate air within a room, can accumulate dust and debris. Rooms with higher levels of dust or pet hair may result in more particles being drawn into the heater. And this could be one of the reason for electric heater blowing cold air in the house.
To maintain the efficiency and performance of an electric heater, it’s essential to periodically clean the unit. Here are essential steps for maintaining your furnace air filter:
● Turn Off Your Furnace: Before doing anything, ensure your furnace is switched off for safety.
● Locate the Air Filter: Find where the air filter is in the air handler or furnace system.
● Check the Filter: Examine the filter to see if it’s dirty or clogged.
● Replace Every 90 Days: Ideally, change the air filter every 90 days to keep it clean and effective.
● Don’t Forget: If you’ve lost track of when you last changed it, do it now! This simple, low-cost maintenance step is crucial. It prevents damage to your furnace’s heat exchanger, which could lead to an expensive repair bill.
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4. Low Gas Supply in Your Home
If your home has a low gas supply, your electric heater will stop working because it’s designed to shut down when there’s not enough gas to heat properly. And this could be one of the reasons for the electric heater blowing cold air in the house. There’s no safer way to check this on your own. Contacting a qualified HVAC technician is the safest and most effective way to diagnose and address this issue, ensuring your home remains warm and secure during the colder months.
5. Something Is Wrong with Your Ductwork!
Have you ever taken a look at the tubes that carry air around your house? Probably not, right? Most folks don’t get a chance to see them. There can be the following issues with your ductwork:
● Think of these tubes as the veins in our bodies, while the furnace and air conditioner are like the heart and lungs. Just like you see a doctor for a check-up, it’s important to give your heating and cooling system regular check-ups to keep your home comfy.
● Leaks and Tears in Tubes: Sometimes,if your electric heater is blowing cold air in the house it might be because the tubes have holes or rips. These tubes are usually in the attic, where it gets really cold. So, check them first because this problem can be fixed easily but is still important.
(Caution: You don’t want to accidentally fall through the ceiling. Walk only on the wooden planks in the attic, not on the soft parts.)
Also read: BEST WALL MOUNTED ELECTRIC FIREPLACE
6. The Pilot Light Keeps Going Out
If your electric heater is blowing cold air in the house, the issue could be related to an ignition problem, especially in older models with continuously burning pilot lights. Newer models often feature electronic furnace ignitions that activate only when needed. For those comfortable with the process, relighting the pilot light and following the furnace’s instruction kit (always with the gas turned off) may resolve the issue.
● Caution: Handling pilot lights, particularly on gas furnaces, can be dangerous, so caution is paramount. If in doubt or concerned about the task’s complexity, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Faulty thermocouples or other ignition components may also require replacement, which should be handled by qualified technicians. Remember that different gas appliances in your home may have their pilot lights, such as gas fireplaces. Regular maintenance, following manufacturer instructions, and ensuring that the pilot light is functioning correctly can help ensure your heating system operates efficiently, providing warmth during colder months.
7. Is Your Flame Sensor Dirty?
One of the reasons behind the electric heater blowing cold air in the house is – the flame sensor is like a metal stick in your furnace. It checks if there’s a flame inside your furnace. If it’s dirty, it can’t see the flame, and it tells your furnace to stop after a few seconds. This makes your furnace turn on and off too quickly and blows cold air.
8. Is Your Control Panel Broken?
Sometimes, if your furnace isn’t warming your home, it could be because the control panel in the furnace is broken. You can try to fix it by turning off the power to the furnace, waiting a bit, and then turning it back on. If that doesn’t work, call a heating and cooling company to come and repair it.
Also read: What Color Should I Paint My Brick Fireplace
9. Your Furnace Is Overheated!
One potential reason for your electric heater blowing cold air in the house is overheating. This occurs when the furnace operates at a higher capacity than usual, causing it to become excessively hot. To safeguard the system from damage, the furnace’s built-in safety mechanisms trigger an emergency shutdown. The primary goal of an emergency shutdown is to prevent any harm to the furnace and its components, particularly the blower motor. After an emergency shutdown, the furnace enters a cooldown period. During this time, the system stops running to allow it to return to a safe operating temperature. This cooling-down process may take a few hours.
What to Do in Such a Situation?
In this situation, it’s generally advisable to avoid calling for immediate heater repair services.
10. Heat Pump Defrost Mode
In cold weather, heat pumps may go into defrost mode, temporarily blowing cold air while the system melts frost from the outdoor unit. If you notice that your electric heater is blowing cold air in the house during the winter, it could be because it’s temporarily in defrost mode. This is normal behavior for heat pumps and helps ensure their efficiency and effectiveness in cold weather. However, if you feel that your heat pump is spending an excessive amount of time in defrost mode or if you’re experiencing other issues, it’s a good idea to have it inspected by a professional HVAC technician
When to seek professional help?
Remember that safety should always be a priority when dealing with heating systems, especially those that involve gas or electricity. If you’re unsure about how to handle a heater issue or if the problem persists despite your efforts, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed HVAC technician or electrician to assess and repair the problem properly.
Wrapping it up!
If your heater is making those winter nights feel more like an icy adventure, it’s time to take action and see what’s going on. The good news is that many times, you can fix the issue without breaking the bank on costly repairs or calling in a pro. But, before we dive in, a word of caution: dealing with electrical stuff can be tricky and potentially dangerous. Always make sure to put safety first, especially by turning off the electricity at the fusebox if you need to tinker with your heater. But, if you’re dealing with more serious issues, especially those related to the heating element, it might be time to call in a licensed electrician or start shopping for a new heater