Why is My Furnace Emitting Lukewarm Air (And How Do I Fix It)?
If your Lennox furnace is underperforming and emits lukewarm air, your home will be an uncomfortable space to live in. The only time a furnace should blow out anything less than hot air is when you’ve programmed the thermostat to enable it to do so. If you haven’t and the problem persists, it’s time to turn to reliable and certified HVAC technicians who offer Lennox furnace repair in Richmond Hill as you may be facing a serious underlying complication within your system.
Canadian winters are brutal to say the very least. In fact, we haven’t even seen the worst of the weather yet and, as such, an unreliable furnace is the very last thing you need on your hands.
As a homeowner in the GTA, it’s always helpful to have an in-depth understanding of your furnace. That way, not only will you be able to quickly pick up on warning signals that indicate your furnace needs repair, but you will also be able to administer quick fixes (without unknowingly worsening the issue) when minor problems do occur.
To help you get to the root of the issue, we’ve compiled a list of the most common factors that contribute to an underperforming furnace.
Double Check Your Thermostat
Your furnace is new and performs in tip-top condition or, in any case, should. Yet something is amiss – if the temperature in your house is anything to go by. In this event, you’re most like dealing with a thermostat issue rather than a furnace issue. When you call in an HVAC technician, they will ascertain that your thermostat is functioning as it should. A common cause is that the battery probably hasn’t been changed in a while, contributing to a drastic drop in temperatures. However, when the batteries are on their last legs, you might see that the display on the thermostat is a little faded – though this doesn’t always happen so it isn’t a surefire indicator.
Alternatively, the settings on your thermostat might have been altered so that the blower fan is activated, causing the heater to turn off. This will result in lukewarm air being emitted and the system eventually cooling down.
Inspect Constricted Air Filters
The air filters in your system require routine inspection and maintenance, or else they will become congested and useless. This not only pollutes the quality of indoor air, but also affects the normal functioning of the furnace. Common blockages could be attributed to pests, mildew, etc. These could even portend a larger problem such as the misfiring of the furnace engine or an increase in energy consumption.
When air filters are blocked, the hot air gets trapped inside causing the temperature to take a drastic nosedive. Only a little hot air will leak into the room making it feel lukewarm.
Additionally, if the filters haven’t been installed well, tepid air is emitted. If, after routine cleaning, the filters are put back on wrong, the hot air is blocked instead of blowing out. Trapped hot air will eventually blow back into the furnace and cause system downtimes and glitches. It may even progress to the extent that certain parts get worn down due to overexposure to the ricocheting heat.
Check for Damaged Ductwork
Air leakage is perhaps one of the most common factors that cause lukewarm or cold air to be emitted. If the ductwork is damaged, air leaks through before it reaches your vents. Not only will you have to live in clammy temperatures, but you will also be spending a tidy sum on your monthly energy bill to make up for the loss of conditioned air.
Air pressure drops significantly when there are cracks in the ductwork. An HVAC technician will be able to decipher instantly whether this is the reason due to which you are experiencing a temperature drop. Once detected, the technician will seal the cracks as even the smallest of leaks affect the indoor air quality and temperature.
Check Whether the Gas Supply is Inadequate
There is also the possibility that the system is exposed to a paucity of gas, namely, not enough gas. So even though the system is activated, the furnace isn’t heating up, or only heating up sparingly.
A quick fix is to check the gas supply and see if it’s still turned on. If in doubt, contact your gas supplier. You could observe your furnace as it comes on and see if the burners get ignited and heat up. If they do, the issue isn’t with the gas supply. However, it could still be with the thermocouple or signal an underlying issue with the flame sensor.
To tackle this issue, you must first ascertain whether the gas valve is switched on. If you do not encounter a problem with this, call in an HVAC technician so that they can examine whether it is a bad thermocouple or the sensor breakdown and fix it accordingly.
Attention Richmond Hill Homeowners!
Problems With Your Furnace? Call in a Trusted HVAC Technician.
Constant Home Comfort offers GTA homeowners the most reliable installation and repair services for furnaces, water heaters, air conditioners, insulation, and water filtration systems. You can also access rebates and discounts when you shop for high-efficiency products and SAVE 90% on fuel consumption!
Contact us for more information.
