Warm Air From Your Air Conditioner: What To Do?

 

You should feel a sense of refreshing and cooling air flowing from your air vents. If the water feels hot or lukewarm, you know there is a problem. The good news is that, although you may need to call an HVAC technician, you may be able to troubleshoot and resolve this situation independently. 

What to do when you feel warm air coming from your air conditioner?

1. Make sure the thermostat is working

You should always check your thermostat even if you think you set it correctly, as others may have tinkered with it. You might only be getting warm air circulating throughout your home from the air conditioning system’s fan.

 

A thermostat that says “on” means the system’s fan is running. It implies the fan keeps pushing air through the ducts and vents even when the indoor unit does not cool the home. When your fan circulates the air, your AC needs to be on “cool” or “auto” to cool and dehumidify the air in your home.

2. Check the power of the outdoor unit

Air conditioners are high-powered appliances, meaning they consume a lot of power. Your outdoor unit can trip the circuit breaker during a momentary power surge. Look for a tripped switch in your circuit breaker panel if your air conditioner blows out warm air.

 

Furthermore, if the outdoor unit of your air conditioning unit has recently been serviced, the technician most likely turned it off at some point during the repair. Check the wall next to your outdoor unit to ensure power is supplying the equipment.

3. Don’t crowd the outdoor unit. 

 

The outdoor unit of your air conditioner or condenser is responsible for releasing heat. It needs space on both sides and top to keep it ventilated. Installing air conditioners under decks or crawl spaces is a terrible practice. You should allow at least one foot around the coil and at least five feet above it. Weeds and shrubs growing against the equipment should be pulled and trimmed back.

4. Make sure the air filter is clean

 

It will become dirty sooner than 90 days if you continuously use your air conditioner for weeks. Manufacturers state that disposable air filters are suitable for up to 90 days, but that’s a stretch. You will need to change the filter more frequently if you have pets.

 

A dirty air filter causes an air conditioner to blow warm air, so what exactly causes this? Dust can block airflow through your air conditioning system when air filters become coated with dust. As a result, some problems arise:

 

It takes extra effort for the air conditioner to keep the room cool.

There is not enough hot air blowing over the indoor coil (also called the evaporator coil), which contains the refrigerant.

 

This can lead to overheating of various parts of your air conditioner and freezing of condensation on the evaporator coil. It is impossible to cool indoor air once the coil has iced over. Furthermore, the evaporator coil can become frozen and overheat, resulting in a faulty compressor.

 

A cleaning professional should clean your evaporator coil and install a new filter if there is a layer of ice over it. Make sure you turn off the “cool” setting on your HVAC system so that the fan can help speed up thawing. 

 

As soon as the ice thaws, you can use your air conditioning again. However, you should consult a technician to ensure no problems with the unit. You should contact an HVAC technician if the ice returns after using your system again. If the ice returns, you should shut off your system and have your system inspected for a possible refrigerant leak.

5. Ensure that the outdoor unit is debris-free

Depending on the amount of dirt, leaves, and other debris on and around the outdoor unit, your AC unit may blow hot air. Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem. Keep the yard clean using a stiff broom to sweep away debris and trim tall grass, shrubs, and weeds.

 

Is There A Way To Reach Your Goal If None Of These Steps Works?

You should consult a professional HVAC technician if these troubleshooting steps do not resolve your air conditioning issue. There are three most likely causes of the cooling problem at this point:

 

• The refrigerant is leaking.
• The condenser fan is malfunctioning.
• There is a need for a new compressor in the system.

How to Keep Your Air Conditioner Running Smoothly

Having a well-functioning air conditioning system makes a home happier. Additionally, your energy bills will be lower since your home will be more comfortable. Our recommendations are as follows:

 

• Regular maintenance is essential. It is a good idea to schedule a spring cleaning and inspection to detect minor problems before they become large ones. Before the summer heat gets too intense, you can also make repairs.

 

• ENERGY STAR Certified Appliances. Energy-efficient ENERGY STAR appliances will keep your home cool while using less energy.

 

• Increase your insulation. Keeping cooled air inside is one of the benefits of insulation. Since you can apply spray foam to existing structures, it is the best type of insulation for most applications. You can keep your entire home more comfortable by using spray foam as an airtight seal.

 

How Do You Proceed If None Of These Steps Work?

If these troubleshooting steps fail to resolve your air conditioning problem, you will need an HVAC professional. It is most likely that one of these three problems is causing the cooling issue at this point:

• A refrigerant leak has occurred.
• The condenser fan is malfunctioning.
• The system needs a new compressor.

HVAC technicians at Gibber Services are trained and experienced experts at diagnosing and solving heating and cooling problems.

 

Get AC repair services today by contacting us online or calling 901-422-1258.