Why is My AC Blowing Warm Air? 6 Common Causes and Fixes

Sometimes our air conditioners may sound like they’re working, but you realize that your home just isn’t cooling down. When you get close to an air vent, you figure out why: your air conditioner is blowing air, but the air is warm.

There are several reasons why this problem can occur, so identifying why your AC is blowing warm air may require a process of elimination:

1. Your HVAC system’s air filter is clogged.
2. Your thermostat is set incorrectly.
3. The outdoor unit (condenser) is too dirty or crowded.
4. Your AC has a refrigerant leak.
5. The condenser fan is broken or malfunctioning.
6. Your AC’s compressor needs to be replaced.

1. YOUR HVAC SYSTEM’S AIR FILTER IS CLOGGED.

Your air filter keeps dust and debris out your HVAC system’s blower fan, but in the process, dust and debris build up on the air filter. If this build-up is too thick, it won’t allow the proper amount of airflow to pass through the filter to keep your HVAC system functioning properly.

According to an ac repair company, this is one of the most common reasons why air conditioners blow warm air, and luckily, it’s the easiest problem to fix because all you have to do is change the air filter. Most air filters should be changed every 45 to 90 days, depending on various factors such as how many pets you own or if your home has recently undergone any remodeling.

2. YOUR THERMOSTAT IS SET INCORRECTLY.

This is another problem that has a very easy, DIY solution. Check your thermostat to see if it is set to “on” instead of “auto.” When the thermostat is set to “on,” the fan is just going to run continuously, whether your system is cooling the air or not. Switch the thermostat back to “auto.”

3. THE OUTDOOR UNIT (CONDENSER) IS TOO DIRTY OR CROWDED.

Your condenser unit is exposed to the elements, and as a result, it can become caked with dust, dead leaves, and other debris or become crowded by plants. When this happens, the condenser isn’t able to dissipate heat effectively.

Turn your air conditioner off, and then remove any weeds or shrubs and trim back any bushes that are growing up against it. Using a sponge or a hose with gentle water pressure (so that you don’t bend the fins), you can clean away debris that has built up on the unit. Don’t jet or blast water with high pressure onto your unit, or else you might damage it. Leave it to experts like this heating and cooling north Salt Lake, UT.

4. YOUR AC HAS A REFRIGERANT LEAK.

Your AC needs refrigerant to cool air. Refrigerant does this by absorbing heat from the air. However, if you have a refrigerant leak, your AC may not contain enough refrigerant for this process to work and you may need the services of hvac companies like aircarecharlotte.com to fix your unit.

Some common signs of a refrigerant leak include:

• Your air conditioner is icing/freezing up.
• There’s a hissing or bubbling sound when the AC turns on.
• Your AC can’t keep your home cool during hot days but is able to keep it cool at night or on cooler days.

If you notice one of these signs, turn your AC off immediately to prevent damage to the compressor (the most expensive component of your AC) and call a technician to fix the issue or use spray foam to repair the leak. Fixing a refrigerant issue requires specialized training. If you need an ac repair service in Fort Lauderdale, FL to handle your refrigerant issue, you may contact a local air conditioning repair company like Abraham AC.

5. THE CONDENSER FAN IS BROKEN OR MALFUNCTIONING.

The condenser (outdoor unit) needs a functioning fan in order to dissipate heat. If the fan or the fan motor isn’t working, the heat from the hot air in the condenser won’t be released properly, which, in turn, won’t allow your air conditioner to cool your home.

6. YOUR AC’S COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

When it’s functioning properly, the compressor circulates refrigerant between the evaporator (inside unit) and condenser (outside unit). According to a home services company, a damaged compressor makes it impossible for your AC to cool air.

If you are faced with replacing your AC’s compressor, it might make more sense financially to replace your AC unit because of how expensive it is to replace a compressor. Of course, this depends on how old your AC unit is and whether or not it is likely to need more repairs in the near future. Therefore, it’s better to ask for the professional opinion of hvac technicians from companies like https://friendsandfamilyhvac.com/ac-repair-corona-ca/.