Why is my furnace not pumping hot air?

Author: Dr. Retta Jenkins PhD  |  Last update: Thursday, May 22, 2025

It's most likely an incorrect thermostat setting if you find your furnace blowing warm air, not hot. The fan is set to “on” instead of “auto.” Furnaces only pump hot air until the thermostat setting is reached, so if your fan is always on, it will blow both hot air when the furnace is heating and cold when it's not.

Why is my furnace running but not blowing hot air?

Ensure your thermostat has not been set to a lower setting by someone else. Check your thermostat's batteries and replace any that are exhausted or defective. Clean all of the parts of your furnace, especially the ones that are susceptible to dust and dirt.

Why is my heat pump not putting out hot air?

If your heat pump is on but not blowing hot air, it could be due to a dirty air filter, low refrigerant levels, or a malfunctioning thermostat. The outdoor unit may also be iced over, or the reversing valve may not be working properly. Contact a professional for further inspection.

Why is my furnace not kicking out heat?

The cause of your furnace not blowing hot air could be the thermostat configuration, a dirty air filter, the high limit switch, a clogged condensate line, insufficient fuel, leaky ducts, ignition problems, a blocked burner, flame sensor issues, gas valve malfunctions, a cracked heat exchanger, or a clogged coil.

Why is my furnace not reaching temperature?

Furnace is not producing enough heat.

To troubleshoot the problem, try replacing the air filter, and if that doesn't solve the problem, have a technician come out to clean/adjust the burners and make sure airflow to the combustion air chamber isn't obstructed.

Furnace turns on and is running - BUT NO HEAT

Why is my heating not reaching temperature?

Radiators might not be getting hot due to trapped air requiring bleeding, a malfunctioning boiler or central heating pump, thermostatic radiator valves that might be stuck or set too low, or the central heating system having sludge or rust which causes blockages.

Why is my furnace not getting my house warm enough?

Check the Furnace Filter.

A dirty furnace filter is one of the most common reasons furnaces don't produce enough heat. Luckily, this is an easy and inexpensive fix. While you're at it, buy one or two extras and make a note in your calendar to check it again in a month.

Why is my furnace running but still cold?

If your furnace is blowing cold air in your home, this is a sign of an issue with the flame detector, gas supply, air filter, pilot light, or condensate lines. Many of these issues are able to be easily solved on your own by sanitizing or replacing components in the gas furnace.

Why is my furnace fan on but no heat?

Check Furnace Thermostat Settings

Incorrect thermostat settings can be the cause behind no heat coming out of the vents, even with the furnace blower turned on. Check the thermostat to ensure the setting is in HEAT instead of COOL. It is a common mistake that happens. The fan runs continuously when it is switched on.

How to tell if your thermostat is bad?

7 Ways to Tell Your Thermostat Is Broken
  1. The Thermostat Has No Power. ...
  2. The AC or Furnace Won't Turn On. ...
  3. The Heater or AC Won't Turn Off. ...
  4. The Thermostat Reading Doesn't Match the Room Temperature. ...
  5. The Thermostat Doesn't Respond. ...
  6. The HVAC System Is Short Cycling. ...
  7. The Thermostat Forgets Programmed Settings.

Why is my heat not blowing hot?

If your HVAC system isn't blowing warm air, start by checking the thermostat settings and batteries; more complex issues like faulty wiring or ignition system problems may necessitate professional assistance. Airflow restriction due to clogged air filters can result in your system blowing cold air.

Why is my heat pump struggling to heat my house?

First, make sure that the heat pump's air filter is clean. If it's heavily clogged, change it for a fresh one and then see if the heating returns to normal. (Change the filter regularly, every 1 to 3 months.) As for other possibilities: The issue could involve thermostat malfunctions.

Why is hot air not coming out of my vents?

While furnaces can stop operating for complicated reasons, home owners should check a few usual suspects first behind a lack of hot blowing air: Electrical problems causing a loss of power. Blocked air vents and ducts restricting airflow. Improperly configured thermostat settings.

Why is only cold air blowing from furnace?

If you have a dirty or clogged furnace filter, the cool air from inside your home will struggle to travel through it and into the furnace. This means you have insufficient air to heat and redistribute. The result is your heater blowing cold air.

How do you fix a furnace that is not heating?

How to Troubleshoot a Furnace: 7 Steps to Finding a Solution
  1. Inspect the Thermostat. ...
  2. Change the Furnace Filter. ...
  3. Confirm the Furnace Is Getting Power. ...
  4. Make Sure the Circuit Breaker Isn't Tripped. ...
  5. Check the Vents for Blockage. ...
  6. Make Sure the Front Panel Door Is Secure. ...
  7. Call a Professional.

Why is my furnace kicking in but no heat?

Clogged or Dirty Air Filters

A dirty or clogged air filter can restrict airflow, causing your furnace to overheat and shut off the burners. In such cases, the blower fan will continue running, but no warm air will be distributed throughout your home.

How do I reset my furnace ignitor?

You can reset the ignition on your furnace simply. To do this you must cut the power to the furnace first by turning off the circuit that powers it. Once the power is off you can remove the burner door to reveal the ignitor. Turn this to “off” and leave it off for at least 5 minutes.

How do I know if my furnace fan is bad?

Here are some signs of a broken furnace blower motor:
  1. Loud Operating Noises. When your blower has an issue, you might hear odd noises coming from your vents. ...
  2. Weak or Absent Airflow. Weak airflow or total lack of it is the most obvious sign of a bad blower motor. ...
  3. Overheating. ...
  4. High Energy Bills.

Why is my furnace running but not getting warm?

The Air Filter Is Clogged

A common problem with HVAC units including furnaces and heat pumps is air filters that are dirty and clogged. Ideally, they are replaced quarterly because it doesn't take long for a filter to trap dust, pollen, hair, and more.

How to reset a thermostat?

Most modern thermostats will have a clearly marked reset button inside the panel. It's usually small and recessed, so you might need a pointed object like a paperclip to press it. For those wondering specifically how to reset air conditioner thermostat models, the process is generally the same.

Why is cold air coming out of my vents when the heat is on?

The most common reason a heat pump is blowing cold air through your air vents is defrost mode. This is a safety feature to melt frost and ice within the system. During defrost mode your heat pump made switch modes to heat up the outdoor coils. Indoor temperatures will fall because the system is briefly in cooling mode.

Why is my furnace not reaching set temperature?

Clean your Air Filters, Vents, and Ducts – A clogged air filter will struggle to meet the thermostat's set temperature since the dirt and debris buildup prevents air from circulating through the vents. And as airflow into living spaces drops, so do comfort levels.

How long should it take to heat a house at 2 degrees?

So how fast should a furnace heat a house? On average, once you turn on your furnace, it should take about an hour to increase indoor temperature by 1 degree. Afterwards, it's 45 minutes per degree.

Why is my furnace running but my house is cold?

If your furnace is blowing hot but your home is still cold, it may be a problem with your ductwork. You may have leaky or damaged ducts that are letting hot air escape and cold air in. Sometimes a damper in the system can get miss-adjusted or come loose, thereby inadvertently blocking or reducing airflow.

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