Getting caught in the heat is like being trapped with no escape. What's worse is when you think you can escape to the cool, air-conditioned indoors of your home only to find it is not cool at all.
One of the most dreadful experiences for homeowners is when they discover that their air conditioner is blowing warm air. Homeowners who find their air conditioner malfunctioning quickly become uncomfortable as temperatures rise inside the home and because they know that the repair could be costly.
There are several reasons why air conditioners will blow warm air. In this article, we will go through some of the reasons your air conditioner might be blowing hot air.
1. Leak in Your Air Conditioner
Sometimes there is a leak in the air conditioner, causing the refrigerant to escape. When the coolant escapes, the motor will continue to propel the fans and warm air will permeate the home. This problem always necessitates a professional AC repair technician to add coolant as the chemicals are highly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.
2. Holes in Your Air Ducts
Warm air can also emerge from the ducts when the unit is underpowered. This air is usually somewhat cool, but could also be described as somewhat warm. See if you can locate the source of the holes where the air escapes from your system. Once found these holes can be patched. We recommend that you have an experienced HVAC tech locate and repair any holes in your ductwork.
3. Power Issues Shutting Off Your AC
If you think there might be a power-related problem, you can unplug the air condenser outside (the plug is usually on the exterior of your home behind the condenser). Wait about 10 seconds and plug the unit back in. Sometimes, this will reset the system. Also, go to your circuit breaker to see if perhaps the furnace or air conditioner has somehow tripped the system. If it looks like they are both in the ON position, it is acceptable to turn them OFF and then ON again. This can also perform a hard reset.
4. Regularly Change the Air Filter
One of the most common reasons warm air comes out of the vents is the failure to change the air filter in a timely fashion. While different manufacturers have different recommendations for their products and the timeline for changing the air filters, it is generally wise to change the filter monthly. Dirty air filters, especially very dirty air filters, can restrict airflow, preventing air from becoming cool.
Get Help with Your Air Conditioner
No one wants to scramble for comfort in the sweltering heat of summer. If your air conditioner is blowing warmer air than it should, do a few checks to see if there is something you can do to get your system up and running again. If that doesn't help, contact the experts at Heaney Plumbing & Heating for a free estimate today!