Furnaces

Learn why your furnace is blowing cold air in the newest blog from the experts at Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical.

Posted by Billy | November 5, 2024

TLDR: What You’ll Learn in Today’s Blog

  • Your furnace blowing cold air is a common problem with several potential causes, including: thermostat settings, faulty flame sensor, pilot light issues and even incorrect furnace sizing.
  • When basic checks fail, call Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical for professional diagnosis and 24/7 emergency repair services. And for ongoing, preventative maintenance, schedule a comprehensive furnace tune-up

As winter temperatures plummet in Upstate New York, the last thing you want is your furnace blowing cold air when it should be keeping your home cozy.

If you’re experiencing an unexpected chill coming from your vents, it’s not just uncomfortable, it could be pointing towards bigger issues within your heating system.

From thermostat issues to faulty furnace components, there are a number of reasons why your furnace might be blowing cold air instead of providing warm relief. In this blog, the heating experts at Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical will walk you through the most frequent culprits behind cold air and let you know when it’s time to call in the pros.

Let’s get your furnace and your heat back on track!

Thermostat Settings

An often overlooked piece of the cold air puzzle is the thermostat. It’s the central hub of your entire system, yet it’s not usually the first place our mind goes when there’s an issue with our heat.

Start by checking the thermostat, and ensuring it’s set to “heat” and not “cool” or “fan.” Also ensure that your room temperature is set to your preferences, so the thermostat knows when to kick the furnace off and on.

If you’ve checked the settings, and you’re still getting cool air, it could be an issue with the electrical wiring, or something deeper in your system.

Pilot Light Issues

If your current furnace is nearing the end of its lifespan, one reason it could be giving you the cold shoulder is its pilot light.

The pilot light is responsible for igniting the burners that produce heat, and if it goes out, your furnace won’t be able to generate heat. If you’re experiencing persistent pilot light issues, give our friendly furnace repair team a call right away, we’re trained to get to the root cause and ensure long-lasting solutions.

Faulty Or Dirty Flame Sensor

What’s a flame sensor? You might be asking.

Well, this small but crucial component is how your furnace monitors the burner flame. When it malfunctions or if it gets dirty, it will automatically shut down your furnace if it doesn’t detect a flame. This is a key safety feature that helps prevent gas leaks and other safety hazards.

When you call in our experts for regular maintenance, we always ensure to thoroughly inspect and clean all internal components, including the flame sensor, to help prevent heating issues.

Leaks in Your Ducts

Even the newest, most powerful and most efficient furnaces are no match for leaky or clogged ducts!

So to ensure your warmed air gets where it needs to go, schedule a comprehensive indoor air quality inspection and testing service from Beluga.

Our team takes a detailed approach to indoor air quality. Our expert team will conduct IAQ testing throughout your home and in numerous ducts to identify pollutants, clogs or leaks. This testing can uncover the need for regular duct cleaning, duct sealing or heating system additions such as air purifiers, filters or humidifiers.

Insufficient Gas Supply

Another reason your furnace may be blowing cold air is its gas supply. Furnaces need a consistent supply of gas to ignite the burners and produce heat.

If there’s a problem with the gas supply, such as low pressure or an interruption in service, your furnace may not function properly. Additionally, a malfunctioning gas valve can prevent gas from even reaching the burners, forcing your furnace into blowing only cold air. 
It’s important to always check with your local utility company to see if there’s an outage or service issue, or that it’s safe to embark on repairs.

Once they’ve given you the all clear, give our experienced technicians a call to inspect the valve and other components.

Blower Motor Issues

If you’re experiencing weird noises such as banging or grinding every time your furnace comes on, you might have a blower motor issue. A faulty blower motor can cause your furnace to overheat, or prevent it from distributing heated air evenly throughout your home. 

Blower motor issues are one of the most common causes of furnace repair and replacement, so don’t hesitate to call us at the first sign of malfunction!

Incorrect Furnace Sizing

One of the most important factors to consider when installing a new furnace is that it’s sized correctly, but how do you know if you’ve got the wrong size furnace if it’s an existing or older unit?

Well, a furnace that’s undersized will struggle to effectively heat your home. It will have to work harder and longer to achieve the same results as a properly sized model, resulting in increased wear and tear, and premature replacements.

On the flip side, if your furnace is too large for the space. It will cycle on and off repeatedly, preventing temperature consistency, also leading to early component failure.

But you don’t have to worry when you have Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical on your side. We’re Putnam County’s preferred choice when it comes to furnace replacements and installation. Every installation begins with an evaluation where one of our trained technicians will take comprehensive measurements of the square footage of your home, the number and locations of windows and doors, and the condition of your ducts and insulation in order to determine the best equipment options for your unique needs.

We carry furnace options from all the most trusted brands, and come to you in fully stocked service trucks ready to give you the most efficient and professional installation service available. Call us today!

Call Beluga Today Emergency Furnace Repair

When your furnace is blowing cold air, you need efficient and long-lasting solutions that restore warmth as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, you have a local expert, available day or night. The Beluga team is continuously trained on the latest furnace repair techniques, and we come to you in fully-stocked service trucks to give you the most honest and reliable repair service available.

A branded Beluga van sits outside a residential home.

Diagnose

When you schedule your furnace repair, a trained and personalized technician will visit your home to start the diagnostic evaluation.

Our experts will thoroughly inspect your existing furnace, checking for damage, connection problems, unusual odors, and dirty filters. We also carefully examine all registers and ductwork.

Following this comprehensive assessment, we will provide you with a customized quote designed to meet your home’s specific furnace requirements.

Recommend

We understand that furnace repair is urgent. That’s why we guarantee a same-day repair quote, delivered immediately after your thorough equipment evaluation.

Our clear and comprehensive quotes ensure peace of mind, with no hidden fees or surprises. Every repair recommendation is carefully explained and takes into account the age and condition of your furnace.

Repair

We offer emergency furnace repair. Once you approve the quote, our experts start work immediately.

Your personal technician will safely disconnect and repair the necessary furnace components. This typically takes 1–2 hours, depending on the complexity of the issue. Throughout the process, your technician will maintain a clean and efficient workspace, ensuring minimal interruption to you.

After the repair, your technician will reconnect and thoroughly troubleshoot the equipment to address any potential issues. Finally, they will review any applicable warranty information with you and answer any questions you may have.

Keep Your Furnace Working as it Should With a Beluga Furnace Tune-Up

Beluga is your best choice for preventative furnace maintenance:

  • Prevent costly repairs and replacements
  • Increase system lifespan
  • Lower energy bills
  • Keeps your unit under warranty
A technician inserts a new furnace filter into a furnace during routine maintenance.

Our team has over 20 years of experience servicing all major makes and models, so you can rest assured we know what it takes to get the most out of your furnace system.

Don’t let a blast of cold air turn your cozy winter into a miserable one. If you’ve checked the basics and your furnace is still struggling, the root cause could be anything from a faulty flame sensor to an incorrectly sized unit. 

When in doubt, trust the experts at Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical. We’re ready 24/7 to diagnose the issue, provide a clear, same-day quote, and restore warmth and comfort to your Putnam County home fast!

Frequently Asked Furnace Repair Questions

Is furnace repair costly?

The cost to repair your furnace depends on the type, size and condition of equipment you have in your home. Call the experts at Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical for your no obligation evaluation and quote!

Does furnace repair take a long time?

Most furnace issues can be repaired within 1-2 hours, depending on the severity. If your equipment will require a longer service call, we will explicitly outline the scope of work during your evaluation so there are no surprises.

When should I repair vs. when should I replace my furnace?

Your furnace should last about 15 years when properly looked after. Common heating issues include: inconsistent heating throughout your home, frequent repairs and ever rising utility bills. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, call Beluga today for your no-nonsense repair or replacement estimate.

Why Choose Beluga Heating, Air & Electrical

Our team of technicians are standing by with the experience and knowledge necessary to keep your home comfortable year round!

  • 24/7 emergency service
  • Competitive pricing
  • Free consultations
  • Financing options that fit any budget

Give us a call or book an appointment online today!

Related Posts:

Close x