Coming back from a chilly night out to a warm well-heated home is a dream come true. The cozy vibe of your home can instantly lift your mood and makes you feel on cloud 9.
However, sometimes it doesn’t happen.
Your heater would start blowing cold air making the home environment highly dangerous for your family and pet.
The most common reason your HVAC is not blowing warm air can be clogged filters, which prevent it from circulating air, resulting in poor performance.
If your filters are not the culprit, you can find other reasons for the problem.
- Low refrigerant.
- Electrical issue.
- Blocked registers.
Read further to know seven reasons why your HVAC is not blowing warm air and quick ways to fix it.
7 Reasons Why Your HVAC Is Not Blowing Warm Air
HVAC is an ideal option for homes as it keeps you cool in summer and cozy in winter. However, a slight malfunction or issue in the appliance can cause discomfort.
Here are a few reasons why your HVAC isn’t blowing warm air:
1. Clogged Air Filters
As mentioned earlier, clogged filters are one of the most common culprits for blocking warm air from your HVAC. The air filters are responsible for trapping dirt and contaminants from the air to prevent them from your heating and cooling system.
The clogged filters hinder air circulation, causing the furnace or heat pump to overheat and turn off. Overheating can also cause a safety hazard if not addressed timely.
Quick Fix
It is advised to replace your air filters quarterly to ensure safety and optimal performance.
2. Electrical Issue
Your HVAC can also stop blowing warm air if there is an electrical issue with the wiring or circuit breaker. Again, you can check the breaker and call a professional for guidance.
The furnace also has a safety feature that automatically turns off the device if there is no pilot light. Similarly, if you have a heat pump, the auxiliary heat strips can malfunction, resulting in cold air.
Quick Fix
If you suspect a breaker has malfunctioned, you can call a professional and replace the breaker.
It is good to check the furnace pilot light and clear it up or get it fixed to function your furnace smoothly.
Ask the HVAC expert to examine the auxiliary strip and replace them if needed.
3. The HVAC Is Turned Off
It seems like an apparent reason, but we often overlook it and dig into more technical issues. Before inspecting your system, it is better to check the power button. You can turn off the furnace by mistake, resulting in no warm air.
Quick Fix
Check the power button and turn it on to make your furnace work again.
4. Low Refrigerant
Like air conditioners, your heat pump uses refrigerant to produce warm air. However, it works oppositely by expelling cool and circulating warm air inside the home.
If you are facing an issue with your HVAC, chances are it is running low on refrigerant, or there is a possible leak.
Quick Fix
If you suspect a leak or a low refrigerant is causing the problem, call a professional to fix the issue.
5. Poor Insulation or Ductwork Leak
Having robust ductwork is crucial for your heat pump to work efficiently. The heat pump ductwork extracts air from the outside and circulates it inside after heating.
If there are leaks in the pipes or it is not insulated correctly, your heat pump won’t circulate warm air in your home.
Quick Fix
It is better to check the ductwork for leaking and adequately seal it with duct tape.
6. Blocked Vents
Just like air filters, if your vents are blocked or closed by accident, the HVAC won’t be able to work correctly. It is why you feel one room temperature is different from another, as its vents are blocked, resulting in the blockage of warm air.
Quick Fix
The best thing is to remove the cover, vacuum the vents and clean it with soapy water to clear accumulated dirt and debris and make it work again.
7. Incorrect Thermostat Setting
The thermostat is a device used to monitor indoor temperature and regulate it according to the desired settings. If your HVAC is not blowing warm air, chances are the incorrect thermostat settings.
If the settings or the mode on the thermostat are incorrect, your HVAC cannot perform as you desire.
Quick Fix
Check the mode on the thermostat; it should be on heat or auto settings. Your HVAC will never blow warm air if it is in cold mode. Check the temperature settings and set them as you desire.
Takeaway
If your HVAC is not blowing warm air, chances are it has one of the reasons mentioned above. Cleaning clogged filters, resetting the thermostat, and unclogging the vents are easy fixes that you can do at home.
It is better to ask a professional for help if you encounter a more severe issue.