
What to do if your heat pump is blowing cold air. There are a few reasons your heat pump could be blowing cold air. To solve the problem, try these 2 things: Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter. If it’s dirty, change it! Make sure the thermostat is set to “AUTO”, not “ON”. When set to “ON” the fan will stay on even when your heat pump isn’t actually heating. This could make it feel like cool air is coming out of your vents.
- Step 1: Check Thermostat Setting. First and most importantly, make sure your thermostat is set to Heating Mode. ...
- Step 2: Evaluate and Adjust Your Vents: ...
- Step 3: Assess Furnace Filters and Replace Filters If They Are Dirty. ...
- Step 4: Call An HVAC Pro.
What should I do if my heat pump is blowing cold air?
What to do if your heat pump is blowing cold air. There are a few reasons your heat pump could be blowing cold air. To solve the problem, try these 2 things: Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter. If it’s dirty, change it! Make sure the thermostat is set to “AUTO”, not “ON”.
Why is my heater blowing cold air?
If your heater is blowing cold air, and it’s not one of the first two possible explanations on this list, then you’ll need a specialist to at least come and take a look. You might be able to tell if your ducts have a leak, but fixing them is another issue.
How do you fix an air conditioner that won’t heat?
Turn off the heat at the thermostat and check your air filter. If it’s dirty, change it! Make sure the thermostat is set to “AUTO”, not “ON”. When set to “ON” the fan will stay on even when your heat pump isn’t actually heating.
Is your heat pump blowing cold air in “Heat” Mode?
My Heat Pump is Blowing Cold Air in “Heat” Mode! Before we help you diagnose the problem, let’s make sure there is actually a problem. This might sound crazy, but a heat pump can be working just fine even if the air feels cold. Let us explain… Heat pumps usually produce air that is 85-92°F.

Why is the heat blowing out cold air?
When a furnace only blows cold air, there's a chance the heater could have overheated. But don't worry, this usually doesn't mean the unit is broken. When the system overheats, there's a safety feature that shuts the system off. This is a good thing—it could prevent a fire, carbon monoxide leak, or even an explosion.
Why is my heater running but no heat?
Dirty filters are the most common cause of furnace problems. Dust and dirt restrict airflow—and if the filter gets too clogged, the heat exchanger will overheat and shut off too quickly, and your house won't warm up. If the blower is running but no heat is coming out, replace the filter.
How do you reset a furnace that blows cold air?
Pilot Light Is OutTurn off power to the furnace.Locate the pilot light assembly and turn the reset switch to OFF.Wait 10 to 15 minutes to allow any escaped gas to clear the area.Turn the reset switch to PILOT. ... Once the pilot is lit, turn the switch to ON.Restore power to the furnace.
Why is cold air coming out of my vents?
Clogged air filters could be causing cold air to blow out of your vents. A dirty air filter can block airflow over your furnace's heat exchanger, which can cause it to overheat.
How do I reset my heater?
1:082:03How to Troubleshoot and Reset a Furnace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're gonna come to a light switch it can be located on your left side of the furnace. Or on theMoreYou're gonna come to a light switch it can be located on your left side of the furnace. Or on the right this happens to be on the right side.
Why is cold air coming out of my vents when the heat is on in my car?
Low Coolant Level The coolant (usually a mixture of water and antifreeze) in your engine doesn't just work to keep the engine from overheating: It's also the source of heat supporting the heating system. If there isn't enough coolant in your system, the heater core will blow cold air into your car.
Why is my electric heater blowing cold air in my house?
More often than not, electric heaters blow cold air when its filters are clogged, and that's why it's the first thing you should check. Start by turning your heater off and inspecting the filters. If the filters are caked with dust, then it's likely the culprit behind your heater's malfunction.
Check Your Thermostat
Before you do anything else, the first thing you should do is check your thermostat. Your heater blowing cold air may be due to something as simple as your thermostat being set on “auto” or “fan,” which may cause the air coming out to not be hot.
Replace Your Air Filter
The air filter is what lets hot air flow smoothly into your home. It also keeps all the dust, allergens, and debris out so you breathe clean air.
Check for Blocked Vents
As we’ve said above, if anything is preventing good airflow, the heater will shut off parts of its functions to avoid overheating.
Look for Ductwork Leaks
Houses with attics often have ductwork sealing problems, so if your house fits the bill, then this may be your issue.
Check the Flame Sensor
If you have a new heater, then it may not have a pilot light; it’ll have a flame sensor instead. But this doesn’t mean things can’t go wrong with it.
Empty the Condensate Drain Line
This one applies to newer models as well. They usually have condensate drain lines where the evaporator coil’s water is collected and drained out.
Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air?
But your HVAC system is very complicated. If your heater is blowing cold air, then there are multiple possible causes for the issue .
Why does my air blow cold?
One of the most common causes of cold air blowing is that your utility company has cut off the heat. This may happen if you forget to make a payment. Alternatively, they may have experienced a computer or clerical error that made them think you haven’t paid yet.
How does a furnace know if it is on or off?
Have you ever wondered how your furnace knows whether to stay on or not? It all comes down to a special flame sensor. When the sensor detects hot air from the furnace, the sensor helps keep the hot air coming for as long as you need it.
Can you change an air filter on a gas burner?
The honest answer is that it depends on what the problem is. It’s easy for most users to change an air filter or adjust the thermostat. But fixing a dirty or malfunctioning fan means performing delicate work on a gas burner, and that’s best left to professionals.
Can a clogged air filter cause cold air?
Many homeowners think of a clogged filter as an air conditioning problem. And it’s true that if the filters are dirty and clogged, you won’t get any cold air on a hot summer day. But it works both ways: clogged filters also keep warm air from going through.
Can you accidentally change the thermostat?
You or someone else in your family may have accidentally changed a thermostat setting that is affecting the temperature. For example, it is easy to switch the “cool” setting on without realizing you have done so. It’s also possible to simply adjust the temperature to a number you didn’t want.
Do heaters keep you warm?
All of us count on our heaters to keep us warm during the coldest parts of the year. But if you have a heater blowing cold air, you end up with a home that’s just as cool inside as the weather outside.
2. Wrong Fan Settings
Most furnace fans have three settings: On, Off, and Auto. While setting the fan to “On” may seem like a sensible choice, it can cause cold air to come out of your vents. This is because the thermostat’s “On” setting keeps your furnace fan running constantly.
3. Thermostat Batteries Are Low
Sometimes when thermostat batteries get low, they reset your temperature preferences. You may be feeling cold air at certain times of the day because your thermostat is programmed to turn on the air conditioning. Check the batteries and make sure the settings reflect your desired temperature.
4. Pilot Light Is Out
While newer furnaces have an electric pilot light, those made before 2010 likely have a gas pilot light. If the pilot light is out, your furnace will only blow cold air. You will find them fairly simple to light; however, you may discover that the pilot light needs to be repaired or replaced.
5. A Clogged Filter
Many homeowners forget to change or clean their HVAC filters, causing dust and dirt to build up. Not only does this impact your energy bills and indoor air quality, but it can also cause blockages. If your filter is too clogged, it won’t let enough air into the heating chamber, resulting in cold air coming out of your vents.
6. A Faulty Flame Sensor
The flame sensor is responsible for sharing with the burner whether your home needs more or less heat to meet your temperature settings. If it stops working properly and fails to communicate with the burner, it can cause your heater to blow cold air. Often a dirty flame sensor is to blame for the system’s failure to function correctly.
7. A Blocked Condensation Line
A high-efficiency gas furnace forms condensation when working properly and requires a special plastic vent pipe (PVP) to continuously drain the water. Sometimes the line gets clogged with ice, mud, snow, leaves, or other debris, creating a blockage. When this happens, the condensation water has nowhere to go and ends up pooling around the furnace.
8. Out of Fuel
It’s not uncommon for homeowners to forget to schedule an oil delivery or unexpectedly run out of fuel when temperatures drop. You may not realize what the issue is right away, though, as all the electrical functions for the furnace will work as usual.
Your thermostat has the wrong settings
Thermostats allow us to stay comfortable with ease. However, these devices can run into some problems at some point. If you have a heater blowing cold air instead of hot, your thermostat could be set incorrectly. Luckily, fixing this issue takes a matter of seconds.
Your furnace still has to heat up
A furnace involves a lot of moving parts that don’t work instantly. When the furnace is turned on, everything needs time to fire up. That said, if you’re noticing that the heater is blowing cold air, try waiting a little longer. This is especially true if this is the first time the furnace is turned on this season.
Dirty air filter
An air filter is an essential piece of an HVAC system. When these are clean, these filters provide clean, fresh air for your home. However, when they’re dirty, your comfort could be in jeopardy. In fact, a dirty air filter can lead to a heater blowing cold air.
No pilot light
If you’re asking yourself, “why is my furnace blowing cold air?” go ahead and check the pilot light on your furnace. Today, most heaters don’t have a pilot light, but they're found on many older models. This pilot light is a small blue flame that’s used to heat up the system. Without this light, the furnace has no way of heating up.
The system has overheated
When a furnace only blows cold air, there’s a chance the heater could have overheated. But don’t worry, this usually doesn’t mean the unit is broken. When the system overheats, there’s a safety feature that shuts the system off. This is a good thing—it could prevent a fire, carbon monoxide leak, or even an explosion.
Leaky air ducts
Your HVAC system usually includes air ducts, which are scattered throughout your home. If you keep asking yourself, “Why does my heater blow cold air?” it could actually stem from leaky air ducts. On some occasions, warm air from your furnace can escape through holes in your ductwork.
Other thermostat issues
While a thermostat’s settings could be why your furnace only blows cold air, other thermostat issues could be to blame. For instance, there could be a wiring issue. This is especially common if the thermostat installation was a DIY project. On the other hand, you could have a thermostat that isn’t compatible with your specific heating system.
Lack Of Cleaning
Cold air coming from a heating system can be linked to a lack of cleaning because the build-up of dirt and grime can be detrimental to your system’s air filters. When air filters become congested with dust and dirt, this can overheat your furnace, causing HVAC malfunctions.
Check The Thermostat
Have you checked if your thermostat is set to heat? We know that may be the first thing you check, but you would be surprised by the number of homeowners that accidentally forget to set their thermostat to heat and get cold air instead of warm air.
Air Duct Leaks
Air ducts with leaks can be a significant factor in messing with your home’s general airflow and temperature, which can interfere with your ability to stay cozy this winter. Leaks in your air ducts can cause warm air to escape your home and lead to uneven heating that impedes the general airflow of your home.
Check The Pilot Light
Often, homeowners will have a heating unit that uses a pilot light for gas-powered heating systems. If your pilot light goes out, you will begin to notice a heating system that blows cold air, but thankfully the issue can be resolved by relighting your system’s pilot light.
