Nobody likes to deal with heater problems. Unfortunately, all heaters and furnaces need to be replaced eventually, but the good news that some heating problems can be fixed without having to purchase a whole new system.

Central Heating Problems

Also known as forced air furnaces, central heating systems distribute heat throughout your home through a series of ducts. That being said, sometimes furnace problems are the result of faulty ducts, a defective heater or both.

Problem: Heater is blowing cold air

If you’re wondering why your heater is blowing out cool air, the first thing you should do  check your thermostat and make sure it set to the correct temperature. Try kicking it up a notch to see if there a noticeable difference. Make sure it set to “auto” instead of “fan on” — otherwise, your fan will run without blowing any heat. If you checked your thermostat and verified that it was indeed on the right setting, then your issue may be one of many, including:

Dirty air filter

– Air filters become dirty over time and need to be cleaned or replaced — otherwise, dirt and debris can inhibit your furnace performance and cause it to blow cold air. Change your air filter and see if that fixes the problem.

Leaky ductwork

– Leaky ductwork  a virtually invisible problem, but it can cost you if it not resolved. If you feel comfortable with it, go into your attic or crawl space to check for leaks by walking alongside your ductwork and feeling for any blowing air. Bring a lit stick of incense with you and hold it near your ducts; if the smoke starts to move, that’s a telltale sign you have a leak in that spot. Seal off any leaks and insulate your ducts accordingly.

Pilot light issues

– Check your furnace pilot light and make sure it lit. If it won’t light, make sure gas  flowing to it — check the gas valve and verify that it turned on. If your gas valve is on and your pilot light still won’t light (or it lights but doesn’t stay lit). You’ll want to contact a professional to examine the issue.

Lack of fuel

– Whether you have a gas, electric, or oil furnace, your system needs fuel to properly run. If you’re low on fuel — or if fuel is unable to effectively power your furnace — your heater will not work as well as it should.

If none of these seem to be the issue. You should contact an HVAC professional to examine your heating system more thoroughly.