An air conditioner blowing warm air is a definite no-no for homeowners, as no one wants to wake up feeling like the stifling outside air is entering their home. If your AC is blowing warm air, it’s a good idea to identify the issues plaguing your AC unit to help determine how to bring cool air back to your home. While a good professional HVAC company can help address your concerns, avoiding some mistakes that lead to a faulty AC unit can help expand its lifespan and keep you cool in the process.
Refrigerant Leak
Leaks leading to low refrigerant levels are one of the most common reasons why your air conditioner is blowing warm air. Refrigerant is the chemical used to absorb and remove heat in your home. When there isn’t enough refrigerant, the heat gets recycled through your AC system and brought back indoors.
Due to its chemical composition, refrigerant never runs out. So, if your AC is blowing warm air, the likely cause is a leak in the refrigerant lines. It’s recommended that you turn to an HVAC professional to take a look at your outdoor unit.
Faulty Compressors
The compressor is the heart of the air conditioner. If it fails, your HVAC system will not cool properly — in fact, it may not even turn on.
Compressors are tough to fix, and most of the time, it’ll be better off to get them replaced. Repairs may not last long enough to justify the cost, and before you know it, you might be asking why your air conditioner is blowing warm air sooner than you’d hope.
Clogged Filter
Reduced airflow can cause your AC to blow warm air and is usually caused by a dirty air filter. Air filters are designed to stop dirt and debris from flowing into your unit. If they become clogged and can’t work effectively, they will not only reduce the airflow into the coils but also let in unwanted pollutants. Dirty coils can’t remove the heat from the air and thus begin blowing the same warm air back into your home.
Not only are clogged filters responsible for your AC blowing warm air, but they can also tax your air conditioning unit. Filters should typically be changed every three months; for more extreme weather conditions, it’s recommended to replace them every 45 days.
If you know you haven’t switched out your filter in a while, look and see if a clogged filter is why your air conditioner is blowing warm air.
Air Ducts Leaking or Disconnected
Air ducts are responsible for blowing cold air through your home. If air ducts are damaged or disconnected, you might have problems with warm air leaking into your ducts from outdoors.
Disconnected air ducts could be caused by a faulty installation, construction services that knocked them out of place, or even rodents sneaking into your system. Leaking air ducts don’t usually mean your unit is in trouble, but it could push your air conditioner past its limits to cool the air in your home. You should get them checked by an HVAC technician.
Thermostat Wiring and Other Electrical Issues
Sometimes, a member of your household will adjust the thermostat behind your back, causing you to wonder why the air conditioner is blowing warm air. Other times, thermostat wiring issues are to blame. Usually, a thermostat wiring issue occurs right after a new installation.
Additionally, a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker might leave you wondering why your air conditioner is blowing warm air. If the compressor in the outdoor unit isn’t receiving power, but the fan continues to operate as normal, you might think everything is fine until you notice your AC is blowing warm air. You can reset the circuit breaker and see if this fixes the problem.
Fix an AC Blowing Warm Air With Tempo Air
If you’ve noticed an issue with your unit, don’t let it continue. HVAC units won’t fix themselves, and that’s why Tempo Air provides homeowners with professional AC service in Dallas and surrounding areas. Reach out to us today to help restore cold air to your home! Contact our HVAC technicians or plumbers in Irving, TX, for complete home comfort.