Why is Your AC Blowing Warm Air?

When the summer heat is ramping up, the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to be blowing warm air into your house. Your home should be a comfortable sanctuary away from the heat. A malfunctioning AC can lead to higher energy bills and even health problems, not to mention the frustration of being uncomfortably hot.

There is a multitude of reasons your AC could be blowing out warm air, from simple issues with your settings to more complex problems. In this post, we will examine some of the most common causes and how you can resolve them.

Your thermostat is on the wrong setting

Check your thermostat to make sure you’re using the right settings. It seems obvious, but it can be easy to overlook or accidentally select the wrong option. Your thermostat should be set to “cool”, and your fan should be set to “auto,” not “on.”

If your fan is set to “on,” it will be blowing air through your home constantly, even when your AC is not producing cool air. Changing your setting to “auto” means the fan will only blow air through your registers when your AC is actively cooling your house, preventing warm air from being circulated.

Your refrigerant is leaking

One of the most common causes of warm air blowing from your AC is low refrigerant. Refrigerant cycles through your indoor and outdoor AC unit, absorbing the heat from inside your home and expelling it outside.

Your refrigerant lines are a closed system, so a low level of refrigerant indicates that there is likely a leak somewhere in your unit. If your evaporator coils are frozen over, but your AC is producing only warm air, that is a good sign there is a leak. Since refrigerant is a dangerous chemical, do not attempt to fix the leak on your own. Instead, reach out to a trusted HVAC professional to resolve the problem.

Your evaporator or condenser coils are dirty

Your system’s evaporator coils, on your indoor unit, and condenser coils, on your outdoor unit, can become dirty and clogged. Your outdoor unit is especially vulnerable to clogs due to outside dirt and debris. When that happens, air cannot flow freely through your system or effectively cool your house.

Regular maintenance checks are the key to keeping your AC coils clean and working properly. A professional technician can get rid of any dirt or grime that may be affecting your system’s performance. In addition, make sure to keep the area around your outdoor unit clean and tidy to prevent debris like leaves or grass from getting into your system and causing blockages.

Your air filter is clogged

A dirty or clogged air filter may not directly cause warm air to blow through your home, but it can lead to clogged coils. As mentioned above, if your system’s coils are blocked, air cannot flow properly through your unit to cool your home.

Checking your air filter regularly, at least every 30-90 days, is essential to keep your AC in good working condition. Regular filter replacements not only prevent your coils from clogging but help keep your indoor air quality (IAQ) levels high.

Your compressor is faulty

The compressor is one of the most critical elements of your AC unit. It helps move the air through your system and keeps it running efficiently. It turns refrigerant from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure, high-temperature gas to release the heat it has absorbed from inside your home to the outdoors.

The older your AC unit, the harder your compressor must work to function properly. Over time, this increasing strain could trip your breaker and cause your AC to blow warm air. Blockages due to rust or other contaminants can also occur. Since compressor issues can be challenging to diagnose, enlist a professional to inspect your unit if you suspect your compressor has a problem.

Need help with your AC?

If your air conditioner is having trouble properly cooling your house, reach out to us at Hauck Bros. Our experienced HVAC technicians can diagnose and resolve problems with your unit, as well as provide routine maintenance services to keep your system in the best condition year-round. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your home cool and comfortable.