HVAC Blowing Cold Air in Winter: What Can You Do?
Cold air coming through your HVAC in winter is the last thing you want to experience! While it can take longer for an HVAC system to produce warm air in winter simply because it’s cold outside, your system may require repair or replacement if the unit doesn't start blowing warm air after a couple of minutes.
Read on to learn what you can do about your HVAC blowing cold air in winter. We’ll cover various points to help diagnose the issue and offer suggestions for how you can remedy the issue. For all of your HVAC needs, Hickory’s HVAC experts are here to help keep your home warm and comfortable all winter long.
1. Check the Thermostat Setting
The first thing you can do to understand why your HVAC is blowing cold air is to check the thermostat setting. Confirm that the thermostat is set to "heat," not a cooling or fan-only "auto" mode. If you have an older thermostat, it may not be able to detect the temperature in the room correctly.
Replacement with a smart thermostat may offer easier functioning and greater control.
2. Clean Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
Air filters are a major component of any HVAC system. As the HVAC system circulates warm air through the indoor environment, the filters trap various pollutants such as dirt, dust, pet dander, debris, allergens, smoke, mold spores, food particles, and others.
With continuous use, air filters become dirty, leading to clogs, reduced performance, and less efficiency overall in your HVAC system. Damaged evaporator coils or condensers may cause the HVAC to blow cold air in the winter.
Fortunately, a dirty air filter requires a simple fix: just changing out the dirty filters or cleaning them can correct the issue. For optimal functionality, replace your filters every three months.
3. Check for Defrost Mode
An HVAC blowing cold air in winter may happen if you have a heat pump. In winter, your heat pump condenses and heats outdoor air for indoor comfort. If ice forms on the outdoor unit, the pump may cycle into defrost mode.
In defrost mode, the HVAC system will channel the warm air to melt the frost on the unit’s exterior. To avoid this, regularly remove the frost from the outdoor unit and give it two to three feet of clearance.
4. Remove Blockages Around the Outdoor Unit
Blocked, clogged, or dirty coils in the external unit can prevent it from effectively collecting warm air from outside. This may cause cold air to blow inside. The ideal solution is a professional cleaning, along with a thorough, professional inspection of the HVAC unit.
5. Rule Out Reversing Valve Problems
If your reversing valve has switched from heating to cooling, it may produce cool air instead of warm. If the valve malfunctions, it can get stuck in cooling mode. This issue is best left to an HVAC professional, who can determine the issue and correct it.
6. Fix Pilot Light Issues
If you have a gas-powered furnace, check your pilot light. The pilot light ignites the gas furnace burner, which then generates heat. You can usually find instructions for reigniting the pilot light in its instruction manual, or you can call a professional.
7. Call an HVAC Company to Diagnose an Overheated Furnace
If your furnace started producing hot air, then cold air, and then stopped blowing altogether, the furnace may be overheating. In this case, the limit switch may have shut the burners off, while the blower attempts to cool the furnace. Usually, a dirty filter is behind this issue, but not always. Furnace overheating can indicate heat exchanger damage, which is a repair you should leave to a professional HVAC company.
8. Ensure a Consistent Gas Supply
If your furnace doesn’t receive enough gas to produce warm air, it may shut off and blow cool air for safety. If you have an issue with your gas supply or a severed gas line, you should contact your utility company immediately to arrange for a technician to check things out.
HVAC Repair From Hickory Heating & Cooling
For any issues with an HVAC blowing cold air in winter, Hickory Heating and Cooling offers professional solutions to ensure your comfort throughout cold weather. With heater maintenance and repairs, we can solve your HVAC problem and restore warm air to your home.
Let our team of experts help with all of your heating, cooling, and HVAC needs, including furnace repair in Hickory, NC. Contact us at (828) 618-4887 to schedule an assessment today.
