Have you ever been piling on blankets during a cold winter day because your furnace stopped working after a power outage? It’s a situation many face, and it’s far from uncommon. Power outages can wreak havoc on your home’s heating system, often causing it to stop producing warm air just when you need it most.
7 Common Causes of Furnace Blowing Cold Air After Power Outage
Below are the most common scenarios when the furnace starts blowing breeze air instead of warm air.
1. Thermostat Issues
First, a common culprit behind the furnace’s cold air is the thermostat functioning issues. To start, check if the thermostat power is off or malfunctioning. Sometimes, the thermostat could enter a safety lockout mode after a power outage. You have to start it again manually, but it prevents it from restarting immediately to protect it from being faulty.
In many cases, the thermostat setting gets interrupted and needs a reset to work on its normal condition again. In many cases, the thermostat’s digital setting gets interrupted and needs a reset to work in its normal condition again. If the fan setting is on ON, it will continuously run, even when the furnace isn’t heating the air
2. Low Batteries Affecting Reset Functions
Another issue could be low batteries. Even if your thermostat is connected to your home’s electrical system, it might have backup batteries that are now low. These batteries maintain the settings when the power is out.
If the batteries are too weak, they might be unable to power the reset functions correctly. So, changing the batteries can often solve this problem quite quickly.
Just remember, if you’re unsure about handling electrical devices, it’s always best to consult with or hire a professional to avoid potential hazards or damage.
3. Tripped Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are great appliances to protect from sudden electrical shock. Yet, many users often overlook the tripped circuit breaker after an electric outage. When your power cuts off, you usually go to the breaker box in the garage and turn on the breaker if it’s off.
Right?
But when you install a separate breaker for your HVAC system, you may forget it and think that the furnace is malfunctioning. Meanwhile, the breaker panel just needs a quick look to set things right.
4. Total Power Blockage to the Unit
Another common issue I’ve seen is when there’s no power to the unit at all. Check if your home’s GFCI outlets, which are Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter outlets, have also tripped. These outlets protect your home from power surges and will shut off automatically in case of an anomaly.
If they have tripped, reset them. If your furnace still isn’t firing up, ensure the automatic power shutoff hasn’t been activated.
Have no idea what it is?
It’s a feature that cuts power to prevent damage during a power surge.
5. Broken Control Panel
If you’re trying to set things, it might simply be a broken control panel, but the furnace is unresponsive. The control panel, also known as the furnace’s brain, coordinates all furnace operations.
If it malfunctions, the entire system can go haywire. This problem can be complex and might require a technician to examine the wiring and functionality of the control panel.
So, don’t experiment with this; immediately call Ventiluxes for a quick fix.
6. Dirty Air Filter Affecting Performance
When your furnace is blowing cold air, especially after a power outage, you might want to check the air filter. A dirty air filter can throttle your system’s efficiency by restricting airflow. In my experience, when the filter gets clogged, it makes it harder for the furnace to circulate warm air. If you do regular checkups and replace the dirty filters it can save you a lot of cold nights and frustrating troubleshooting.
7. Need for a System Reset
Most gas furnaces have a reset or test button that you can use to get things running again. If the pilot light has gone out, it’s necessary to relight it. It’s common practice that our client furnaces usually resume regular operation after resetting.
4 Steps for Troubleshooting Your Furnace
Here’s how to get things back in order. I’ve been through this a couple of times in our client’s home and found that a systematic approach can save you time. If you know the issue, fixing it isn’t a big deal.
Tip: Ensure your safety by checking there’s no standing water near your unit. waterStep # 1: Inspect Circuit Breakers
First, head over to your breaker panel. You’ll want to look for any breakers that have tripped. If it was caused by a lightning strike or issues with power lines in your neighborhood, check those breakers specifically. Most furnaces are on a 15A circuit, so check those breakers specifically. If you see any that have tripped, turn them off and then turn them on again. You’ll easily point out the on/off labels on your panels.
Step # 2: Check the Control Panel for Any Visible Issues
Next, look at the control panel on your furnace. If it flashes an error message, note it down. These messages can tell you exactly what’s going wrong, which can be incredibly helpful if you need to call for professional help.
Step # 3: Assess the Thermostat
Now, check your thermostat. If it’s off, turn it on and set it to heat or the automatic fan setting. If the temperature setting is too low, the furnace won’t turn on. Increase it and see if that starts up the heat.
Some newer thermostats might revert to a factory default; if this happens, you must reprogram it according to your owner’s manual.
Step # 4: Inspect the Furnace
Sometimes, the issue might be with the furnace itself. See if the safety lock has been activated, which can happen if you hit the reset button in quick succession. Also, take a moment to check the air filter—if it’s dirty, replacing it can improve performance significantly.
Call Ventiluxes
Finally, if all else fails, it might be time to restart the furnace to reset the entire system. This can resolve issues that aren’t immediately obvious and is an excellent last step before calling professional help. If your furnace was installed within the past 10 years and has gone out, then call Ventiluxes, and we will take care of the rest.
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