What To Do If Your AC Blows Out Warm Air
If your AC is blowing out warm air, you are not alone. This issue is a common problem that many people experience during the summer months. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to fix the issue and get the cool air flowing through your home once again. In this blog post, Chatham Comfort Controls will discuss some of the most common causes of this problem and provide tips on correcting them. We will also provide information on what to do if your AC blows out warm air and you cannot fix the issue yourself.
Reasons your AC might be blowing hot air
Air conditioners are complicated machines. Several different parts could be causing the hot airflow due to damage or breakage. You can correct some of these problems yourself. More serious issues should only be handled by a trained professional. These include:
- Incorrect thermostat settings
- A frozen AC coil
- There is a Freon leak.
- The condenser coils are dirty.
- The compressor is broken
- The condenser fan is broken
Thermostat settings
If your AC unit is blowing hot air, one of the first things you should check is the thermostat settings. It’s possible that someone accidentally bumped the temperature up and forgot to adjust it back down. You should set your thermostat to “cool” to a temperature lower than the current room temperature. Simply lower the set temperature and see if that corrects the issue.
You should also ensure that you set your AC fan to AUTO rather than ON. If you have done all of this and your AC is still blowing warm air, you probably have a mechanical problem.
Frozen AC coil
Another potential problem is a frozen AC coil. There are several reasons for AC coil freezes:
- Your air filter is obstructed or dirty. Dirtiness happens by design since air filters exist to catch particles that would otherwise make it into your home. If this is the case, replace your air filter or remove the obstruction.
- Your evaporator coil is dirty. A dirty evaporator coil won’t let air pass through it. This problem could be a sign of cracks or fissures in your air ducts or a defective air filter.
- Your air duct has collapsed. Air cannot pass through a collapsed duct. This problem is relatively rare but can happen due to poor installation, pests, or simple age.
If your system is clean and clear of blockages, you could have a problem with your refrigerant.
Low or leaking refrigerant
Low or leaking refrigerant is one of the most common causes of air conditioning problems. If your AC unit is low on refrigerant, it will be less able to cool the air. This problem can also cause the coils to freeze. A hissing noise coming from the AC is a telltale sign of leaking refrigerant. Do not attempt to fix this issue yourself, as the refrigerant can be hazardous to your health and the environment. You’ll need to have a professional recharge the refrigerant for you.
A dirty condenser coil
If the condenser coil (the outdoor coil) is dirty, it won’t be able to dissipate heat properly. This issue will cause the AC unit to work harder, leading to warm air being blown into your home. This problem tends to happen because of debris blown into it by the wind, but it can also happen due to soil, grass, or even pests getting trapped in the coil. Generally speaking, your condenser should have two feet of clear space around it to prevent it from getting dirty. Cleaning the coil is a relatively easy DIY job, but you might want to have a professional do it to be safe.
A broken compressor
The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through the AC unit. It is one of the essential parts of your air conditioner. If your compressor is broken, your AC unit won’t be able to cool the air properly.
A broken compressor usually occurs because of a power surge or due to age causing it to wear out. Older air conditioners may have disintegrating compressors that become clogged with rust flakes. The worst-case scenario is having a grounded compressor, in which the wiring in the compressor’s motor has broken and caused it to short out. Either way, you must replace the compressor or the entire air conditioner. This repair is a job for a professional HVAC technician.
A broken condenser fan
The condenser fan helps to dissipate heat from the condenser coil. If it’s not working correctly, the AC unit will have to work harder to cool the air, which can lead to warm air being blown into your home. Without the condenser fan to cool it, the condenser may shut down to prevent damage to your air conditioner.
Condenser fans commonly break due to routine wear and tear on the fan’s motor. Damage like rust, debris, and damaged bearings can also cause a condenser fan to stop working. In many cases, you can replace the fan’s motor or the fan itself, but in others, you may have to replace the entire unit.
Have one or more of these issues? Call Chatham Comfort Controls!
Chatham Comfort Controls has been serving the Chicagoland area for over 15 years. We are a family-owned and operated business that works with all makes and models of furnaces, boilers, and air conditioning units. Our technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured professionals who are dedicated to reliably satisfying your needs. So, don’t put up with your AC doing the opposite of its job any longer than you have to. Get in touch with Chatham Comfort Controls today!