Throughout the winter, we receive multiple calls daily for furnaces not blowing warm air, not blowing air as warm as customers expect, or experiencing delayed warm air. Here are some common issues and conditions that cause these situations.

The Blower Runs Constantly, But I Only Get Cold Air

This is the most common call we receive when temperatures drop outside. A blower running constantly is often due to the unit entering a safe mode of operation. A furnace has multiple sensors monitoring the temperature at various points. These sensors are designed to shut down the furnace if temperatures get too high. If a sensor fails, the unit cannot determine if it is operating within a safe temperature range. To stay within operating specifications, the blower will run continuously if there is a sensor failure, or a sensor has tripped and needs manual resetting. The blower prevents heat buildup by forcing cooler air across the heat exchanger if there’s a risk of gas/flame not being turned off when the sensor trips or fails. A technician should review your unit, as this might be a simple parts failure or could indicate a larger issue such as a failing heat exchanger or airflow problems.

The Air From My Gas Furnace Is Only Luke Warm

Two primary culprits cause reduced temperatures. The most common is reduced airflow. Ensure your filter is clean and return vents are free of obstructions. If the issue persists, you might have debris buildup inside the unit restricting airflow, particularly if the unit was operated without a filter in the past. A technician should confirm this diagnosis, as it can lead to the failure of other system components. Another problem could be compromised ductwork, especially if your furnace or ductwork is in an unconditioned space such as under a mobile home, in a crawlspace, or an attic. Modern furnaces are designed to raise the air’s temperature by about 40-70 degrees, providing warm air when return air is 60-70 degrees. If unconditioned air enters the furnace due to compromised ductwork, the output can decrease significantly. An inspection can determine if this is an issue.

The Heat From My Heat Pump Is Not HOT

This is normal. Heat pumps produce heat approximately 50 degrees cooler than that from a traditional gas furnace. New heat pump owners may think this is a system issue due to being accustomed to warmer air from the vents. Additionally, the air temperature from your vents may be 95 degrees or lower. Because our body temperature is around 98 degrees, anything lower can feel cool.

My Furnace/Heat Pump Turns On, But the Blower Doesn’t Start Immediately

This is normal. Many units delay blower startup until the heat exchanger reaches a certain temperature or a set amount of time passes. This is a comfort feature to reduce circulating unconditioned air through the home at startup.

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