As we get closer to summer and outdoor temperatures climb ever higher, our comfort depends on our AC’s ability to blow cold, fresh air. This is when we count on our AC the most. So it can be quite unsettling when you suddenly feel warm air blowing out of the AC on a particularly hot day. You check the thermostat and the temperature is rising. You can hear the AC working but all you feel is warm air blowing. What do you do now? While there are many reasons your air conditioner is blowing hot air, we’ll run through some of the most common causes. You will then be better able to assess if you can fix it yourself or if you need to call in a professional.
- Thermostat issues – We know this sounds too obvious, but the first thing you should do is check the thermostat. The fact is that thermostats do get tampered with. Check the thermostat and make sure it is set to COOL and at the proper temperature that is lower than the actual temperature. If it needs new batteries, replace them.
- Clogged Air Filter – A clogged air filter results in higher energy consumption and delivers 30% less cooling efficiency due to restricted airflow. The restricted airflow keeps the AC from removing hot air from your home and will just blow it back. Regular cleaning and maintenance, including filter changes every 30 days, depending on location, will prevent this from happening.
- Loss of Power to Outside Unit – Most air conditioning systems consist of an indoor evaporator unit and an outdoor condensing unit. If the indoor unit is operating without its outdoor counterpart, there will be no cooling. This scenario can happen when your condenser unit loses power, often due to a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. If this has occurred, please contact a professional to troubleshoot your system.
- Low Refrigerant – A fairly common cause of a malfunctioning AC is low refrigerant. Refrigerant is responsible for absorbing heat from the air in your home. If it leaks, your AC will struggle to cool. You’ll know you have a refrigerant leak if your indoor and outdoor A/C units have ice forming on them. You’ll need a professional to diagnose and carry out a refrigerant charge to correct the issue.
The best way to prevent your AC from blowing warm air is by having a maintenance tune-up twice a year. Regular maintenance helps identify and fix problems before they cause breakdowns. In addition to safeguarding the reliability of your AC unit, a proactive maintenance approach ensures stress-free spring and summer days.