Why is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

There are many reasons that your air conditioner may blow warm air, some more serious than others. Regardless of the cause, it’s a frustrating situation, especially when the outdoor temperatures are at their peak. It’s important to understand the potential reasons as well as the warning signs of trouble. This can help you determine whether your system needs professional help or if it’s something you can address on your own.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Frozen evaporator coils could be the reason your AC is blowing warm air. Restricted airflow, low refrigerant levels, a dirty filter, and a malfunctioning blower fan are a few potential causes for the frozen coils. You can turn your air conditioner off for a while to let the ice on the coils melt. However, you still need to determine the cause of the problem itself. One of our professional HVAC technicians needs to assess your system, especially if the coils freeze repeatedly.

Leaking Refrigerant

Refrigerant is an important part of your air conditioner, as it’s what absorbs the heat from within your home. If there’s a refrigerant leak, the system won’t cool effectively, and your unit could blow warm air. Simply refilling the refrigerant isn’t a long-lasting solution, as it’ll just keep leaking. Your unit needs to be inspected by an HVAC technician to determine the severity of the problem and the next best steps.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your thermostat controls when the air conditioner cycles on and off. If the component isn’t working properly, you may notice warm air blowing. Dying batteries could be one reason your thermostat is malfunctioning. Check the display to see if it says “Low battery.” In this case, replacing the batteries might fix the problem.

Incorrect settings could be another reason. Look at the thermostat to see if it says “Heat.” If it does, switch it to “Cool” and see if that helps. Be careful with the “Fan” or “On” setting. This will cause your fan to run even while the AC itself isn’t, resulting in air that feels warmer than you may expect.

Blocked Outdoor Condenser

There shouldn’t be anything obstructing your outdoor condenser, as the unit is responsible for transferring heat out of your house. Anything that’s on top of the condenser or blocking the sides could prevent it from working properly. It may also result in your air conditioner blowing warm air.

Move everything away from your condenser, including toys, coolers, grills, and furniture. You should also clear away greenery, such as leaves and plants. There should be about five feet of vertical clearance and three feet of horizontal clearance on all sides.

Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter might not seem like a big deal. However, it’s a cause of many common air conditioner issues, one being that your AC is blowing warm air instead of cool air. The good news is that simply replacing it may solve the problem.

Start by turning the AC unit off. Take out the dirty filter and put the new one in. Make sure that it’s positioned correctly. Turn the unit back on to see if the cool air is flowing once again. If performing this AC maintenance task didn’t fix the problem, there’s likely another underlying issue.

Malfunctioning Compressor

A malfunctioning compressor could also be the culprit. If none of the above problems seem to be the issue, don’t continue using the air conditioner, as this could further damage the component. This issue usually requires scheduling an emergency AC repair.

How Soon Do I Need to Schedule a Professional AC Appointment?

If your system is blowing warm air and nothing you’ve tried has fixed the issue, schedule an AC repair appointment immediately. This is particularly crucial if the outdoor temperatures and humidity levels are rising.

It’s also important that you don’t continue to use your system until we’ve had a chance to assess the situation. Continuing to use the system normally could worsen the problem, leading to costly repairs or a replacement. We offer 24/7 emergency AC repair to ensure you never have to wait days for help.

Take steps now to restore proper cooling to your home. Contact BVSM Heating & Air Conditioning in Monaca, PA, now for reliable air conditioning inspections and repairs.