Troubleshooting: Why Is My Electric Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

While certain questions or maintenance needs for electric furnaces will differ in nature from gas furnaces, others will be similar or even identical. A common example: Why is my electric furnace blowing cold air?

At Thompson’s Comfort Connection, we’re here to offer the very best HVAC services available around Salt Lake City, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Midvale, Draper, Riverton and nearby parts of Utah, including furnace repair and maintenance for any furnace type your home utilizes. Here are some possible causes of an electric furnace blowing cold air, plus what can be done about each of them – with the help of our HVAC specialists, who are just a single call away, whenever necessary!

Filter Issues

One of the most common causes of any furnace blowing cold air, including both electric and gas models, is a dirty or clogged air filter. Filters are designed to trap dust, debris, and other particles from entering the furnace and circulating throughout your home. However, over time, these filters can become filled with dirt and grime, causing restricted airflow and forcing the furnace to work harder to produce warm air. This extra strain on the system can ultimately lead to it blowing cold air instead.

If you suspect that a dirty filter is causing your electric furnace to blow cold air, replacing the filter should be your first course of action. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on how often to change the filter – typically every 1-3 months depending on usage. If you have pets or allergies, you may consider replacing filters even more often.

Circuit Breaker or Power Supply Issues

In other cases, the culprit in an electric furnace blowing cold air may be related to the power supply. Check your circuit breaker box to see if any circuits have been tripped. If so, reset them and try turning on your furnace again. If the circuit continues to trip, there may be an issue with the wiring or electrical connections in your furnace that will require a professional inspection.

Thermostat Problems

Another common cause of an electric furnace blowing cold air is a faulty thermostat. If your thermostat is not functioning properly, it may be sending incorrect signals to the furnace, causing it to blow cold air instead of warm. In this case, you may need to replace or repair your thermostat to resolve the issue.

Now, be sure to first check that a more temporary issue isn’t impacting your thermostat. If you use a battery-powered thermostat, for instance, they may need to be replaced or recharged if they are dying. Additionally, check the settings on your thermostat to ensure they are set correctly. If you have recently adjusted the temperature, make sure it is set to a warm enough setting for your furnace to kick in and blow warm air.

If none of these troubleshooting steps resolve the issue, it may be time to call a professional HVAC technician to take a look at your thermostat and determine if it needs repair or replacement.

Blower Problems

Within an electric furnace, the blower plays the important role of circulating the heated air throughout your home. If your furnace is blowing cold air, however, it could indicate a problem with the blower.

One common issue is a faulty blower motor. This can be caused by worn or damaged belts, a malfunctioning capacitor, or dirty bearings. In these cases, you may hear strange noises coming from your furnace when it is running. It’s important to have a professional technician diagnose and fix any issues with your blower motor to prevent further damage to your furnace.

Heating Element Failure

Finally, if all of these other possible issues prove to not be the cause of your electric furnace blowing out cold air instead of warm air, it’s possible that the heating element itself has failed. The heating element is responsible for generating heat and if it fails, your furnace will not be able to produce warm air. This can happen due to wear and tear over time or an electrical issue.

To fix a heating element failure, a professional technician will need to replace the faulty heating element with a new one. This is not a DIY job as it requires knowledge of electrical components and safety precautions must be taken. Attempting to fix this issue yourself could result in further damage to your furnace or even pose a safety hazard.

At Thompson’s Comfort Connection, we’re here to help with furnace repair for any kind of model, including electric furnaces. Contact us today if your electric furnace is blowing cold air anywhere around SLC, Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, Midvale, Draper, Riverton or nearby areas – we’ll help you remedy the situation quickly and affordably!