The purpose of a furnace is to keep the living space warm by blowing warm air. However, due to some reasons, furnaces may run into problems and may stop blowing air altogether. Instead of panicking, you should know how to troubleshoot the issue. Here are some tips that will help you get the furnace running back to normal again. If not, take help from furnace repair services.

Incorrect Temperature

If you own an electric furnace, the incorrect temperature might be the reason it is not blowing air. The reason is that in a multi-person household, everyone is supposed to have different opinions on desirable temperature settings. As a result, some might not be able to bear hot air while others may find it soothing.

So, it is not unusual for the household members to change the settings regularly. If the furnace is not blowing any air at all, it might be that someone has set an incorrect temperature that is not allowing the furnace to blow air. And since such situations take place without anyone around, it is easy for you to assume that something has gone wrong.

Therefore, if you ever find yourself in such situations, check the temperature first. If that comes out to be the reason, call everyone together to discuss agreeable indoor temperatures. Moreover, you should also decide that changes in the temperature should be communicated each time so that the rest can make arrangements accordingly.

Improper Or DIY Thermostat Installation

There are many cases where homeowners tend to install aftermarket thermostats in their furnaces. Although, there is no problem in installing one on your own, but do not be surprised if the installation goes wrong. Even if you follow the instructions, there is still a chance you do it wrong.

The reason is the difference in make, model, and variant of the furnace. Moreover, it could also be that the thermostat is not compatible. Keep in mind that once you install a thermostat, it will serve as the brain of the furnace. Whatever changes you input, the thermostat will communicate the changes to the furnace.

That said, if the thermostat is not compatible, the furnace might get confused and will not blow air. At this point, you might think that the furnace has gone wrong but it hasn’t.

The Circuit Breaker Is Off

If nothing else works, your circuit breaker might be the culprit. In most cases, it does not even cross the minds of homeowners that the circuit breaker might have gone wrong. Circuit breakers are safety devices designed to cut the power if there are power surges to prevent electrical appliances from catching fire.

Once the circuit breaker has turned off, you will have to manually turn it on. Depending on the furnace, it might have one or more circuit breakers. If any of the circuit breakers tend to trip, the furnace will not turn on let alone blow air. Try turning on the circuit breaker to see if the furnace works.

If the circuit breaker trips regularly, you will need to call an expert to solve the issue.

The Furnace Filter Is Clogged

Air filters in furnaces and HVAC units are installed for a reason. The air being circulated inside your house needs to be good quality for you to inhale. And that is made possible by the air filters as they trap contaminants and toxicants before they can enter.

As a result, the filter tends to become clogged with time. A clogged air filter will not let air blow through. This might trigger your panic mode but all you need to do is remove and clean the air filter. Not only will a clogged air filter not let the furnace blow air but also expose you to contaminants that might lead to chronic breathing problems.

As a general rule of thumb, you should inspect and clean the air filter at least once a month. Consult the user manual to see the maintenance schedule recommended by the manufacturer.

The Blower Fan Is Not Working

If your furnace fails to blow air even after checking the air filters, thermostat, etc. then the problem might be with the blower fan itself. As the term suggests, the blower fan is designed to flow air regardless of whether it is warm or cold. Additionally, the blower fan is also responsible for blowing air across the heating coils to dissipate heat.

If the blower fan stops working, you might have a serious problem at hand. You can test the blower fan by testing different settings and waiting a few minutes to see if the blower begins working. However, the best way to ensure the issue is resolved properly is to consult HVAC companies McLean.

The Limit Switch Is Damaged

In household heating systems, the limit switch also known as the furnace limit switch controls the automatic on/off function of the fan and heating coils. When the furnace is turned off or the room becomes sufficiently heated, the limit switch will automatically turn the furnace off. This is done to save energy.

That said, if your furnace is not blowing air, it might be that the limit switch has malfunctioned. It could also be that the furnace is overheating and the limit switch is shutting it off as a safety precaution. Plus, the limit switch might also be misreading the issue.

This is a complicated issue to fix and will need an expert to fix the problem.

The Furnace Needs Maintenance

Furnaces like other household appliances need regular maintenance. Dirt and dust accumulation is a normal occurrence especially if you live in a region that is prone to extreme weather conditions. On top of that, ice can also create problems for the furnace.

This is why furnaces need to be maintained at least once or twice a year depending on the usage frequency and other external factors. In the meantime, it is also the responsibility of the homeowners to inspect and clean components like the air filters and look out for any unusual signs and symptoms.

Scheduling professional maintenance not only helps prolong the life of the unit but also prevents complicated issues just when you need the furnace the most. Imagine your furnace not blowing air, it is freezing outside.

This is where expert maintenance helps by performing thorough inspections and fixing any future potential issues beforehand.

Is Expert Maintenance Expensive?

The cost of expert maintenance varies depending on the situation at hand. If the furnace is neglected, the expert will have to put in extra effort to thoroughly clean the unit, which will increase the labor costs. However, if the furnace is cleaned periodically, expert maintenance should not cost you that much.

It is a sort of investment that will keep troubles at bay by preventing costly repairs. However, if you were to think of it as an expense, you are most likely to avoid it, compromising the health of the furnace in return.

Conclusion

A furnace not blowing air should not give you a headache. Considering the tips mentioned above, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue in no time. Hire furnace services Falls Church when not sure what’s causing furnace problems.