Why Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air

Having cool air streaming into your home can be invaluable for both your physical and mental health. Science has proven that hot temperatures can be dangerous for vulnerable populations like the elderly and infants, and if you have an air conditioning system, you expect it to perform well when you need it.
Sometimes, however, you might find your AC malfunctions and starts blowing warm air instead of cool air. This can be pretty upsetting! The system is now not cooling your house, but it could be heating it.
Why do AC units sometimes start blowing warm air and what can you do about it? You can try to tackle the issue yourself using the following tips. If it all sounds too complicated or time-consuming, call a professional HVAC service technician for air conditioning service immediately to help get your system back on its feet.
Have a Technician Check Out My AC System
What Causes My Air Conditioner to Blow Warm Air?
When you find your AC blowing warm air you know something is wrong. Warm air is a sure sign your unit’s cooling system is malfunctioning. Before getting into those details of how to fix it, let’s first look at how an air conditioner works.
Your AC system pulls air from the surrounding environment using a fan. It then runs this air through a filter, passing it over an evaporator coil. This coil contains refrigerant and works by absorbing heat and moisture from the warm air, cooling it down. A few things happen in an AC system, but generally speaking, this newly-cooled air is now blown into your home, cooling the entire space.
When an AC unit is producing warm air, some element of the system isn’t working. It could be your thermostat, the evaporator coil, a leak, the presence of dirt, your compressor, loss of power, the condenser fan, or something else entirely that’s causing your problem. Getting to the bottom of the problem can take trial, error, the right tools, and some time.
Things to Look for If Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air
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Thermostat
- First, start with the basics. Check that your thermostat is set to the right temperature. You would be surprised to learn how many times this is the real problem.
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Evaporator Coil
- Next, look at your air handler and the evaporator coil. Because of the way an evaporator coil is constructed, it freezes up when heat isn’t being absorbed into it for a long time. A dirty air filter can be blocking the flow of air, stopping it from reaching the evaporator coil.
Dirt and dust or pet hair that has accumulated on the evaporator coil can also contribute to this problem.
You might also have some type of household object blocking the flow of air through the return vent like a piece of furniture. It’s worth checking out.While it may be tempting to try to fix it yourself, replacing or fixing your evaporator coil is a job for a skilled and certified air conditioning technician to repair properly.
- Next, look at your air handler and the evaporator coil. Because of the way an evaporator coil is constructed, it freezes up when heat isn’t being absorbed into it for a long time. A dirty air filter can be blocking the flow of air, stopping it from reaching the evaporator coil.
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Condenser
- Following this, you might check your condenser – the unit outside your home. Make sure it’s running and that it’s free from dirt, debris, and grass clogging it up. You want to keep the area around your condenser unobstructed so the air can flow freely in and out of the outside unit.
Call A Trusted AC Repair Company
Hands down, the best AC maintenance is done by a qualified technician. Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a leading provider of residential AC in Central Florida servicing Orlando, Winter Springs, Sanford, Longwood, Lake Mary, and many other local areas. Is your AC blowing warm air? Get it fixed! Contact our skilled team of technicians to schedule an appointment and get back to comfort.
Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!
Tags: AC maintenance, air conditioner, indoor air qualityCategorised in: Air Conditioning, Service and Maintenance, Thing You Should Know