6 Major Reasons Why Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air

All air conditioners are designed to provide a cool and comfortable living environment inside your home. One of the worst feelings you can experience as a homeowner is walking into your home during a hot summer day to cool off, only to discover that your AC is blowing warm air. Not only will you likely experience stress when your AC fails to keep you cool, but HVAC technicians are busiest during the peak season. To help avoid these problems, you should set up an appointment to have your AC unit serviced regularly. Here are some of the top reasons your AC could blow warm air.

1. Thermostat Settings

One of the first things you should check when you notice warm air coming from the vents is your thermostat settings. Thermostat problems usually occur in old dial-type units when they are incorrectly calibrated. If you have the manufacturer’s manual, check that your current thermostat settings are correct. You might also want to check that you did not accidentally flip your thermostat to heat mode, a mistake that frequently goes unnoticed. If that does not resolve the problem, you may want to have your thermostat recalibrated or replaced. You can also consider a programmable thermostat, as old control systems are more inclined to malfunction easily. A programmable thermostat will help keep your home’s temperature consistent every time.

2. Dirty Air Filters

A dirty air filter can be a major culprit when your AC blows warm air. The air filters in your system are responsible for trapping various types of pathogens and particles in the air. Doing that keeps the indoor air safe to breathe, but it saturates the filters over time. When the air filters become dirty and unclean, they restrict the circulation of cool air inside your home. The result is that the evaporator coils freeze, causing warm air to be blown by your AC. In addition, clogged air filters can cause your system to overwork, leading to more AC problems with time.

An air conditioner with clean air filters can operate for a long time. It can also lower your utility bills. That is why it is recommended that you replace your air filters as regularly as possible, usually at least once every 90 days. Nevertheless, the frequency with which you should replace your air filters depends on certain factors, including the number of pets, the square footage of your home, and the number of smokers. If you change the air filters and the problem persists, consider calling a professional to get a proper diagnosis.

3. Dirty Evaporator Coils

The evaporator coils are found in your indoor unit near the air handler. These coils play a vital role in how efficiently your AC unit cools the air. As your indoor system absorbs warm air, it is blown across the evaporator coils. These coils are filled with refrigerant, which sucks the heat from the indoor air to dump it outside. Without the correct airflow, these evaporator coils get too cold, which results in ice buildup. In addition, if dirt builds up around the evaporator coils, it acts as a barrier for the coils, and they are unable to absorb much heat from the air. Thus, all the warm air continues circulating inside your home.

As mentioned above, dirty air filters can lead to frozen evaporator coils. And while you can easily change the air filters by yourself, evaporator coils are delicate and need experienced professionals to clean them. When these coils are handled improperly, they can easily be damaged.

4. Low or Leaking Refrigerant

Another major cause of an AC blowing warm air is low refrigerant, which is the fluid that absorbs heat from the warm air. The refrigerant in your system facilitates your AC to blow cold air. If your system is not cooling, then it might be because the refrigerant is low or leaking. As with any appliance with mechanical components, sometimes parts come apart. In the case of leaking, it could simply be refrigerant connections or lines getting loose. These leaks can also result from the manufacturer’s mistake when assembling the unit.

Unfortunately, fixing this issue is not as easy as replacing the refrigerant fluid. It may be time-consuming and expensive to find the leaks and repair the holes. If something is not fixed well, it can lead to damage to the compressor motor as well. Additionally, leaking refrigerant is bad news for your health and is a safety hazard. The best way to determine a refrigerant leak is if the evaporator coils on your unit are frosted over, and the system is blowing warm air. Whatever the cause, refrigerant leaks should only be inspected and fixed by licensed technicians.

5. Leaking Ducts

If you observe a sudden increase in your energy bills this summer, check on the ductwork inside your home. Leaks might be caused by rodents or improper installation. If there is a big enough leak in your ductwork, warm air may blow from your vents. The ducts deliver cool air throughout your home, but a leak leads to a mixing of cool and warm air, resulting in warmer air than normal. When cold air escapes from your ductwork, your system is forced to work harder to keep the temperature optimal in your home, something that will hurt your utility bills.

6. Dirty Condenser Coils

If you have checked all the above issues and the problem persists, it is time to check the condenser coils of the outdoor unit. These condenser coils are tasked with removing heat from the air and dumping it outside your house. Since they are a part of the outdoor unit, they are exposed to the elements, and dirt and debris may accumulate on the coils over time, restricting heat transfer. Thus, you start noticing warm air being blown inside your home. The best thing to do here is to clean the outdoor unit regularly and give the condenser enough room for air to circulate. You should also remove all the weeds and debris surrounding the outdoor unit.

Summing Up

Many causes of AC problems can be prevented by regular AC maintenance. Besides extending the lifespan of your AC, it can reduce your utility bills by improving the efficiency of your unit. You should have your technician service your AC before the summer heat kicks in to avoid inconveniences when you need your unit most. Doing that will lower the chances of your AC from failing to work as well as give you peace of mind.

Rely on the Experts

Residents of Burbank and the surrounding areas can rely on us at Air Max HVAC for professional HVAC services. Our team of experts can diagnose the problems with your HVAC unit and provide the necessary solutions. Give us a call today at Air Max HVAC and schedule a service today. We also provide home energy audits, indoor air quality, and ventilation services.