An electric heater is real salvation on cold winter evenings and nights. But what if you notice that your heater starts blowing cold air?!
This is definitely not the scenario that we would like to experience. And moreover, an electric furnace that is blowing cold air is definitely a sign of a problem.
But how should that problem be solved, you may wonder? No worries, you have come to the right place. In this article, you will find all the answers?
We are going to tell you why your electric heater might be blowing cold air in the house. And also, we will provide you with a list of the most common reasons why it happens. In addition, you are going to learn how each of these issues could be fixed.
Like this, you will be able to not only find the cause of this issue, but you will also be able to fix it and make your electric heater work – and warm – properly again!
Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air In My Apartment? Reasons And Solutions?
If your electric heater has started blowing cold air unexpectedly, you will not be able to skip this issue. It will require your attention and some repairs anyway. However, in order to be able to fix it correctly, you need to understand first what exactly caused the heating appliance to fail.
You can do that in several different ways:
- First of all, try to give your electric heater some time to warm up. And then troubleshoot your thermostat.
- If it’s not the thermostat, then look for dirty filters or leaking ducts, and either clean the filters out or fix the ducts.
- If the heater is still blowing cold air, try to replace your heat sensors or contractor coils in case anything went wrong there.
This is an outline, of course, but even these few steps could be enough to spot the cause of the issue. However, if you want to fix the problem (and we are sure that you want to!), read on through our article since we have dug much deeper into the topic to find solutions for you!
Below, you will find a list of the most frequent causes of cold air blowing heaters, and also the ways of fixing those.
Your Heater Might Not Have Enough Time To Warm Up
If your electric heater has suddenly started blowing cold air, we recommend you start by checking it. See if the cold air is blowing right after the appliance is turned on.
You might not be aware of it, but this is actually a common phenomenon for both electric heaters and air conditioners when they blow out room temperature air right after you turn them on.
Your electric heater usually needs some time to warm up a bit as the air travels through the ducts into the room. Hence, most of the time, cold air could come out through the heater right after the appliance is turned on.
All you need to do in this case should such an issue happen is have enough patience. Simply let the system warm up a bit.
After a short period of time, hot air will begin to blow out of it. Give the electric heater enough time to warm up and your problem shall be fixed.
Check For Any Thermostat Issues
If you still feel cold air coming out of your electric heater, there is a chance that the thermostat is the culprit in this case. How could that be possible, you may be wondering?
First of all, the thermostat of your heating appliance might be set to a different temperature, which is probably why it is freezing cold in your home right now!
As an option, you might have accidentally turned the fan on, which is set to blow continuously. This will cause the thermostat of your heater to blow cold air when the appliance is turned off.
If this is not the case as well, then we would recommend you check for the batteries. See, often the electric heater’s thermostat works incorrectly because the batteries are dead.
But no matter what the reason is, don’t stress out and don’t panic! Thermostat issues are pretty common, and besides, the good news is that they can easily be fixed.
We just want to remind you to follow the rule of thumb: always set the thermostat temperature higher than the current temperature you have at your home.
And if you see that the fan is on, change it to “auto” mode. That should help.
And don’t forget to look out for a faded display of numbers because in this case, you will have to change the batteries as it might be the cause why your thermostat malfunctioned.
Ductwork Issues
Another common cause of the electric heater blowing cold air out could be the ductwork problems. To fix this one, you will have to get down to your basement to troubleshoot this particular failure.
In the majority of cases, you will have to check up on your ductwork. And this is the reason why regular inspections of your ductwork for the heater are vitally important and is highly recommended.
The reason is pretty simple and we would even say, obvious. There is a high chance of leaks and tears in ducting. Your ductwork may wear out due to the continuous change in temperature as it is exposed to the cold.
As a result, your electric heater is producing cold air which is passed on through the duct holes and leaks.
If this is the case, you will either need to replace your ducts or seal them off. If you decide to do that yourself, you can make use of a DIY method: opt for high-quality duct tapes or mastic tapes to hold the ducts together.
Also, try cleaning your ducts once a year annually in order to avoid such issues in the future.
Heat Sensor Might Not Be Working
The heat sensor in your electric heater ensures that the heating appliance produces heat properly. And if your heat sensor is not working, it will not turn the blower fan off.
As a result, it will be causing the electric heater to keep on working and thus blow out cold air!
To solve this issue, always keep your thermostat temperature and air temperature constantly checked. You will need to replace the sensor though if you notice that the temperatures show differently. If it needs to be replaced, do it with the help of an HVAC technician only!
Dirty Filter Might Be the Reason
If you have been lazy and you haven’t cleaned your heater regularly, you might notice dirt stuck in your filters. As a result, sooner or later you should expect all sorts of malfunctions including constant cold airflow!
You might be surprised to learn this, but it is quite natural. See, the blocked filter basically stops the hot air from passing freely, which eventually does not warm up the room. Of course, a dirty filter may seem like a small problem.
However, it literally causes your electric heater to function improperly.
Luckily, there is a solution. Clean the filters to remove the dirt. Sounds easy, right?
But hold on! Everything is not as simple as you can imagine. In the case of permanent filters, you will have to go through the user’s manual instructions in order to clean up the filters correctly without causing even more damage to the appliance.
As an option, it may so happen that you will just need that faulty filter to be replaced. The good news is that those filters are quite cheap and both easy to purchase and easy to change. This is why it should not require too much elbow grease to swap it out.
Below, there are some easy steps for you to follow in order to undergo the filter changing procedure correctly:
- Switch the furnace off and locate the filters. They are usually located near the blower motor behind an access panel.
- Remove the filter and check the dimensions. The dimensions are typically printed on the frame.
- Buy a matching filter in case you don’t have one already.
- Put the new filter into the furnace and make sure that it is located the right way up. There should be arrows that indicate the proper direction of airflow.
However, we guess that most of you might prefer to skip the DIY way. In this case, changing filters could be a little bit tough. Here is what you will need to do in this case:
- Open your cabinet and look for the coil.
- Mark the place with white paint or primer after you have found it. MArking is needed because you will want to unbolt them and slide them out.
- Once this stage is done, continue with vacuuming the coils and cabinet to remove debris. We suggest you use a vacuum hose.
While you are cleaning like this, you have to make sure that your heater is turned off!
Contractor Coil Issues
Electric heaters and all other types of heaters typically make use of electric resistance heating coils. And it often happens that those electric coils burn out which is a common issue these days.
This problem could occur due to different reasons. For example, it could happen because of the power surges.
As an option, the malfunction might take place due to regular wearing out and thus happen quite naturally. In either case, the electric heater would still run, it’s just that you will only be getting cold air coming out of it.
If what we have said above is the reason why your electric heater is not heating anymore, the only way to fix this issue and make the appliance work again is to replace the coils. You can do it in two ways: either by yourself, or you can take help from an HVAC technician.
Like this, now you know why your electric heater could start blowing cold air instead or warm suddenly. As you could already guess, one of the most common reasons is dirt that is stuck inside of the appliance.
So in order to avoid and prevent any problems with your electric heater in the future, make sure that you clean it regularly. And also, we recommend you give it a thorough check at least once a year.
Like that, you will be able to notice any mechanic malfunctions and/or troubles with the mechanic part of the appliance and fix those in time.
And one more thing: even though some repairs can be done by yourself quite easily, we would still recommend you call for a professional HVAC technician to come and do everything for you.
Especially if you don’t feel confident enough about repairing your electric heater!
It is best to pay some money and get the appliance properly fixed rather than try to do everything on your own and acidentally damage or break something.
[wp-faq-schema title=”Frequently Asked Questions”]
How often shall I check my electric heater to make sure it’s all righ inside and everything is working properly? It’s quite new, we bought it about two years ago, but last year it suddenly started blowing cool air. We fixed it but now I wonder how regualrly the appliance needs to be checked. Thanks!
Hi! I’d say, check it once a year for now. Since your heater is relatively new, you might not need to check it more often. Ours is a bit older and we check it annually. So if your heater is generally working fine, then simply give it a thorough check once a year.
Hey folks! Does anyone know who has to check my electric heater? I mean, I want to check it regularly to eliminate any problems, but here’s the question: do I have to do this myself?
I always call for a specialist to come and do that. See, I don’t know how those electric appliances are designed and what I should look for if I checked my heater on my own. And anyway, even if I knew, I’d be too afraid that I might break something!
What can I do if my electric wall heater is blowing cold air? Is it possible to fix it myself somehow?
Hi! Well, usually, electric heaters blow cold air when filters are clogged. I’d recommend you start by turning your heater off and inspecting the filters. If they are caked with dust, it’s likely the culprit behind your heater’s malfunction. Clean the filters and enjoy warm air!
Why is my electric fan heater blowing cold air? I checked the filters but they are clean (I still cleaned them once again).
If your electric fan heater is blowing cold air, this is a sign of an issue with one of the following things: the flame detector, gas supply,pilot light, or condensate lines. Many of these issues can be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.
Hi! Did anyone have an issue of furnace blowing cold air and not shutting off? How to fix that?
Perhaps you have dirt and/or grime are on the flame sensors. If the flame rod is covered in dirt or grime, it can cause the burner to shut off. As a result, the heater will start blowing cold air, or it may quickly cycle between warm and cold. You can solve this problem by cleaning the flame sensor.
What do I do if my electric heater is blowing cold air? Did anyone have this kindof problem? How did you fix it?
More often than not, electric heaters blow cold air when its filters are clogged,this is why I guess it’s the cause of your problem and it’s the first thing you should check. Turn your heater off and inspect the filters. If they are covered with dust, then you should clean them. I dont’ know how to do that so I just called for a professional to do this for me.
Hi! I hope somebody will be able to help me here. See, this is the thing: my heater got broken (I guess). When I start it, it turns on but doesn’t heat up. Why won’t my electric heater heat up? What could be the problem?
I’m not a pro, but I guess the thermostat could be the culprit. It could have become faulty, gone loose, shorted or gotten stuck. I recommend you take a look at the thermostat and see what level it is set at right now.
Can I fix my electric heater myself if it’s not blowing hot air?
I guess you can, but only in two cases. First, if you are skilled at this kind of repairs. For example, I’m not, so I always hire a professional to do this kind of repairs for me. And second, you can do it if you know for sure the cause is something you can cope with. Sometimes, hiring a pro is the only solution.
Does anyone know how to fix a fan heater if it’s blowing cold air? The problem came out of nowhere all of a sudden! What shall I do?
Well, I’m pretty sure that you can fix it yourself if you are handy enough. Otherwise, you will only be responsible for some prep work to do. E.g., as far as I remember, you will have to check the thermostat and adjust the vents. Also, you’ll need to assess furnace filters and replace them If they are dirty. But in general, an HVAC specialist should take a look at your appliance.
Hi everyone! Do you guys know why my electric fan heater is blowing cold air? It’s quite new, I bought it less than a year ago, but for the last few weeks, it’s blowing cold air each time I turn it on.
Hello! There could be several reasons for this problem. The manual reset might have tripped. Also, the fan switch may be turned on and the thermostat setting is below the actual temperature. As an option, the fan could be dispersing cold air after shutdown. Finally, there may be a loose wire coming from the elements, or the heater element may be defective.
Hello. Could you please explain whether an electric wall heater blowing cold air can have the same reasons for this as any other electric heater?
Hello. Yes, it doesn’t matter where the device is standing, on the floor or attached to the wall, as long as it’s electric, the cause might be the same.