On a cold day in Atlanta, there’s nothing worse than turning on your heater to find the furnace not blowing hot air! We’ll review some common reasons why you may find your Goodman furnace blowing cold air.
Why Is My Goodman Furnace Not Blowing Hot Air?
Before you reach out to a local HVAC company for Goodman furnace repair, you may want to start by checking the most common repair problems associated with a heater blowing cold air. We’ll narrow down the most common causes.
Here are the top 5 Reasons Your Furnace is Blowing Cold Air!
#1: Incorrect Thermostat Setting
Instead of asking yourself, “Why is my furnace not blowing cold air?” you may need to ask, “Who touched the thermostat?!”
When a thermostat is not blowing hot air, the first setting to check is the MODE. Is your thermostat switched to AUTO or ON? If the thermostat was mistakenly switched to ON, the furnace fan will run continuously, even when the furnace isn’t supplying heat.
What’s the difference between the AUTO and ON settings on my thermostat? Choosing the correct thermostat setting can quickly fix your thermostat from blowing cold air. Locate your thermostat and ensure the MODE is set to AUTO.
The AUTO Thermostat Setting means that the air will only blow when the thermostat drops below your desired temperature. For example, if your thermostat is set to 72 degrees, the heater should not blow warm air unless the temperature drops below 72 degrees.
However, if your thermostat is set to ON, the fan will continuously blow air, even when the furnace isn’t heating. This means that if your thermostat is set to 72 degrees, the heater will continue to blow room temperature air because the fan is set to stay ON.
Simply turn the thermostat MODE to AUTO to fix this problem.
Photo Credit: Amazon
Although an incorrect MODE setting is the most common reason your thermostat allows the furnace to blow cold air, here are some other less common issues you may need to address:
- The thermostat is set to ON instead of AUTO.
- The thermostat was set to COLD instead of HEAT.
- The thermostat batteries are low. If your thermostat runs on batteries, you may need to replace the batteries. If the batteries are low, your thermostat may be sending incorrect data to the furnace.
- The thermostat has become disconnected from the wall. If there’s been some rough play near the thermostat, you may want to check if the thermostat has become disconnected. A disconnected wire or plug may prevent your thermostat from communicating with the furnace.
#2: Clogged Air Filter
When you find your furnace not blowing hot air, a common cause can be a clogged air filter. Air filters screen out dust and other particles before the furnace’s heated air is blown throughout the house. Consequently, they can get clogged over time, making your furnace run longer until it overheats. Once this happens, the furnace will only blow cold air.
We recommend changing your furnace air filter 3-4 times per year. If you find your Goodman furnace blowing cold air and can’t remember your last filter change, try replacing the filter to solve the problem.
If you have trouble remembering to change your HVAC filter, you may consider a filter subscription program like Amazon Subscribe & Save, Second Nature, or Filter Time.
Read more about the importance of regular maintenance here.
Which Kind of Air Filter Should I Use for My Goodman HVAC? HVAC Filters come in different styles. Two common styles are Washable Filters and Disposbile Air Filters. You can learn the pros and cons of different air filters here.
When it comes to choosing an air filter for your Goodman HVAC unit, a standard air filter will work to keep your system and ducts clean, but won’t improve air quality. There are three common filter styles recommended by Goodman:
- Standard Furnace Filters: these filter styles will keep your ducts clean, but won’t clean the air.
- Media Filter: The media filter will improve dust and particle removal seven times better than a standard filter.
- Pleated Media Filter: This will be the best quality filter. It removed everything from insecticide dust to airborne viruses.
No matter which filter option you choose, be sure to change it every 3-4 months to ensure your furnace doesn’t blow cold air in the winter!
#3: Dirty Flame Sensor
Most pilotless furnaces use a flame sensor to keep the unit’s flame burning once it starts. However, these sensors can easily get covered with dirt and grime, prohibiting them from monitoring the furnace flame. This means your furnace burner will keep turning off and the house won’t receive hot air. A dirty flame sensor will need to be cleaned or replaced if damaged.
If your flame sensor is dirty, you can remove it and clean it yourself using a light, abrasive steel wool. This video demonstrates 3 different ways to clean a flame sensor.
If you’re not the DIY type, you should call for Goodman Furnace Repair expert. Call Dependable Repair Services for help in the Atlanta metro area.
#4: Dusty Oil or Gas Burner
When you find your Goodman furnace blowing cold air, it can also be due to a dirty oil or gas burner. Over time, these burners can get covered with a layer of dust, cutting off the supply of oxygen that they need to light.
You can avoid dusty burners with regular furnace maintenance by a home heating professional. If you find dusty burners when you notice your Goodman heater blowing cold air, a professional cleaning can solve the problem.
#5: Control Panel Glitch
A convenient as computerization can be, sometimes technology can just add to the troubleshooting list. Many modern furnaces have a computerized control panel to process thermostat signals. These computerized furnace controls can encounter a glitch, prohibiting the furnace from responding to a signal or command.
To test your furnace control panel, turn the furnace power switch off. After waiting a few minutes, turn it back on to see if that resets the control panel. If the furnace still blows cold air you may need to seek professional service.
Whether you’re troubleshooting a furnace making loud noises or a Goodman furnace blowing cold air, even the best DIY owners can require help. Call Dependable Heating and Air for the best furnace repair near Atlanta and a return to warm winter nights.
