You may wonder what to do if your AC blows out warm air. Do not worry – Service Now! Chatham Comfort Controls is here to help! This blog post will walk you through the steps necessary to repair your AC. We will also provide insight into why this problem occurs and what you can do to prevent it in the future. Scroll below for some cool tips.
What Causes My AC to Blow Out Warm Air?
Like most machines, AC units are complicated systems with many different parts. This reality means that there are multiple possible failure points in the system that could cause your AC to blow out warm air. These caused included the following.
- A frozen AC coil
- Low or leaking refrigerant
- A dirty condenser coil
- A broken compressor
- A broken condenser fan
Thermostat Settings
One of the most common reasons ACs start to blow out warm air is due to incorrect thermostat settings. If you set your AC to “heat” instead of “cool,” it will begin blowing out warm air! This problem can be easily fixed by simply checking and adjusting your AC’s thermostat settings. Ensure that you set your fan to AUTO instead of ON. If your AC’s thermostat settings are all correct and it is still blowing warm air, your unit probably has a mechanical issue.
Frozen AC Coil
Another possibility is that your AC’s coil has frozen over. This problem usually happens when there is insufficient airflow over the coil, which several different issues can cause:
- A dirty or blocked air filter. Air filters become dirty over time, so you must replace them periodically. If this is the case, simply replace the air filter. Another possibility is that an object is blocking the air filter and obstructing the airflow. All you have to do under these circumstances is remove the blockage.
- A dirty evaporator coil. An evaporator coil covered in grime doesn’t let air pass through efficiently. If your coil is filthy, it may be due to a defective filter, cracks, or fissures in your air ducts.
- A collapsed air duct. Though rare, air ducts can collapse due to incorrect installation, pests, or age. If your duct collapses, then air cannot pass through it.
If your system is clean and free of obstructions, you may have a problem with your refrigerant.
Low or Leaking Refrigerant
Your AC blows out cold air by circulating a refrigerant through its system. However, if this refrigerant starts to leak, it can cause your AC to start blowing out warm air. This problem is one of the most common issues faced by HVAC technicians. If a hissing or bubbling noise is emitting from your AC, that is a possible sign of low or leaking refrigerant.
Unfortunately, fixing a refrigerant leak is not as simple as changing a lightbulb. The refrigerant in air conditioners is hazardous to human health and the environment. This danger means that you will require the help of a professional AC technician.
A Dirty Condenser Coil
Your AC’s condenser coil is responsible for dissipating heat from the refrigerant. However, it can get dirty over time, which reduces its ability to do its job correctly. Bad weather blowing debris into the coil is the most common cause of a dirty condenser, but it can also happen due to grass, soil, or pests becoming trapped in the coil and blocking airflow. As a rule of thumb, your air conditioner should have about two feet of clear space to reduce the possibility of foreign objects soiling your AC’s condenser coil. Otherwise, your AC blows warm air.
A Broken Compressor
One of the most critical parts of an air conditioner is the compressor. The compressor is the part that moves the refrigerant throughout the air conditioning system. If your AC compressor is broken, it won’t be able to circulate refrigerant properly. As a result, warm air will blow out of the AC unit instead of cool air.
Compressors usually break due to a power surge or routine wear and tear with age. If a compressor is deteriorating, then rust particles from its decay may block the flow of refrigerant to the rest of the system. The worst-case possibility is a “grounded compressor” where the wiring of the compressor’s motor has broken. This damage will necessitate replacing the compressor, which is a tricky repair job, so you’ll need to call in a professional AC technician. It’s also possible that you may need to replace your entire air conditioner if the system is too far gone.
A Broken Condenser Fan
The condenser fan is responsible for circulating air over the AC unit’s condenser coils. If the fan isn’t working correctly, the coils can’t do their job, and your AC will blow out warm air. Routine wear and tear on the motor is the most common cause of a broken condenser fan, but it could also be due to damage like rust, debris, and damaged bearings. Sometimes, you can replace the fan or its motor, but in other cases, it’s simplest to replace the AC entirely.
If you have any of these issues, call Service Now! Chatham Comfort Controls today!
Service Now! Chatham Comfort Controls is a trusted and dependable HVAC service provider for the Chicagoland area. With over 15 years of sterling service in the community and high customer satisfaction rates, you can rest assured that we can repair or replace any problematic AC. So don’t sweat it -call Service Now! Chatham Comfort Controls today!
