Unless you live in a handful of locations, you want a functional air conditioner (ac) blowing cold air when the warm dog days of summer hit.
If you find you’re sweating while trying to relax inside, there’s a good chance something is wrong with your cooling system. So why is your AC blowing warm air?
Today, we’re sharing several of the most common reasons you might be getting warm air out of your vents. We’ll provide some things to check so you can get back to enjoying a comfortable place to relax.
Let’s dive in!
How Often Do Air Conditioners Need Maintenance?
Most service technicians recommend following a bi-annual maintenance schedule. The best time to maintain your air conditioner is spring and fall. This helps ensure your HVAC unit is ready to keep you cool during the summer and warm during the winter.
By maintaining a regular schedule, you reduce your chances of needing to call for help during the busiest time of year for repair services. The premium fees are standard when the demand for maintenance and service calls increases.
7 Reasons Why Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air
We have several things you might consider if you’re trying to figure out why your AC is blowing warm air. We’re not promising you’ll be able to avoid calling a professional, but it can be a possibility.
#1 The Thermostat Isn’t Set Properly
The thermostat settings are one of the first things you want to check if your AC is blowing warm air. If you go ahead and call a service technician, not only will you feel like a bonehead, but it’s going to be the easiest $150+ the repair person ever makes. Make sure your thermostat setting on cool and not heat.
If the fan setting on your thermostat is on, the fan will run continuously. It doesn’t matter whether the cooling cycle is active; the fan will pump out air through your vents. If the AC unit is not in the middle of a cooling process, it will be warmer air.
#2 Frozen AC Coils
The AC coils on your unit can freeze if there’s not enough airflow in your HVAC system. This can result from dirty air filters, issues in your ductwork, or leaks in the system. As the coils freeze, it prevents the warm air from leaving the unit. With no place to escape, it stays in the ductwork and exits through the vents in your system.
The result is an AC unit that runs continuously but does nothing to cool the space. The longer this goes unaddressed, the more damage you can experience with your AC unit, and the higher your energy bill will be at the end of the month.
#3 The AC Refrigerant Has A Leak
Refrigerants play a significant role in an AC unit. This essential liquid cycles through the unit to help produce cold air. A refrigerant leak will make it difficult for your system to cool the air and eventually render your unit useless.
If there is a lack of refrigerant in the system, you’ll likely experience frozen AC coils. This will make it nearly impossible for your system to cool, and the temperatures will likely only increase inside the space. You’ll probably want to call a professional to address any leaks and check your refrigerant levels.
#4 Faulty Compressor
The compressor on an AC unit helps pump refrigerant through the system, creating cold air from the warm. If your compressor is malfunctioning or faulty, it will not cycle the refrigerant.
The compressor helps the refrigerant turn from a gas to a liquid, which ensures the air blowing through the vents in your system is cold. A faulty or malfunctioning compressor is something a professional will likely need to diagnose or repair.
#5 Clogged Air Filters
Service technicians recommend changing your HVAC air filters every 30 to 90 days. These filters help remove various pathogens and particles floating in the air from getting into your system. The result is your ability to breathe clean and fresh air.
However, 30 to 90 days can go by very quickly in some cases if you’re not careful. Clogged air filters restrict the flow of air to your system, which is essential for the optimal performance of your system.
As a result, many experienced service technicians will recommend sticking to the 30-day schedule. Change your filters every time you pay your mortgage or rent. You can get by without buying expensive air filters if you change your filters frequently.
#6 Problems With Your Condenser Fan
The condenser fan in an HVAC system cools the refrigerant from a hot gas to a liquid. As an AC unit ages, these fans can struggle to start or begin a cycle very quickly. A condenser fan that cannot keep the unit cool will cause the unit to overheat, destroying the entire unit.
Catching these issues immediately is essential. Putting off a repair or maintenance on your unit could destroy your system and your bank account.
#7 Your Outdoor AC Unit Doesn’t Work
If your outdoor unit isn’t working, it could be because it’s obstructed. It’s crucial that you keep the landscaping trimmed and that you leave plenty of room for it to suck in air.
Obstructions in your outdoor AC unit will cause it to perform poorly or overheat. Do some landscaping around your unit regularly to avoid this issue.
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace Your AC?
Eventually, there will come a time when you’ll have no other choice but to replace your AC unit. If you constantly have to dump hundreds of thousands of dollars into your system, it’s time to replace it. An inefficient and aged system will be more prone to malfunctions and system issues.
You’ll find yourself paying more each month for your electrical bill than is likely necessary. It can be a hard pill to swallow, but replacing your AC unit can be a more economical decision in the long run.
Maintain Your AC Regularly To Avoid These Issues
Do regular maintenance to avoid a costly repair or prematurely replacing your AC unit. You may not be able to avoid all of these issues all of the time, but it can help ensure you have a fighting chance at staying cool during extreme summer conditions. You likely don’t appreciate your AC enough until it starts blowing warm air. So make sure you appreciate your unit appropriately and keep it running.
Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA
To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).
You should give it a try!
As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.
Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site!
We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: