Why is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

When your AC is on but only blowing warm air, you know something is wrong. But what causes this issue? Here are few troubleshooting tips to help you figure out why your AC is blowing warm air.

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

If your AC doesn’t seem to be blowing cold air, check the thermostat settings first. You’d be surprised how easy it is to accidentally change the settings while adjusting the temperature. Your thermostat should be set to COOL and the fan should be set to AUTO. Make sure your thermostat is set correctly before anything else when your AC isn’t working — if the settings were off, give it a few minutes for cool air to start coming out of the vents.

Electrical Connections

Did you know that most air conditioners have separate electrical connections for the indoor and outdoor units? A loss of power to the outside unit could mean the AC inside is still working but unable to cool the air. Locate your electrical panel, and check the circuit breakers labeled for your HVAC system. If any of them are switched off, flip them back on and make sure both AC units are working.

Keep in mind that having to do this often indicates a more serious problem with your electrical system. If this is the case, call a professional electrician to inspect the system as soon as possible.

Dirt in the System

We’ve all been told how important it is to regularly change the air filter, but it’s still easy to forget. If your AC is set properly and has power, there could be dust, dirt and other debris built up in your AC system. When it accumulates in your condenser unit, on the coils or in other areas of the system, dirt prevents the proper flow of air and can completely block the cooling process. You or a professional will need to clean any dirt out of the system.

Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant should never run out or be too low. However, refrigerant leaks in your air conditioner’s coils can happen. When your refrigerant is low, the AC can’t operate efficiently and may even stop working altogether, blowing only warm air. You can prevent this problem by scheduling regular AC tune-ups in the spring, during which a technician will check your air conditioner’s refrigerant to make there are no leaks.

Call the Pros

If your AC is blowing warm air even when set and powered properly, it’s time to call a professional. The experts at Efficient Systems will be able to quickly inspect your air conditioners, pinpoint the problem and recommend repairs.

Contact Efficient Systems today for more information or to schedule your AC repairs.