Why Is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

We all know how hot and humid summer can get in the Quad Cities area. That’s why we all need the services of a properly functioning air conditioner to keep cool and comfortable during the dog days of summer.

But what if you return home from a long day of work and are greeted to a blast of warm air? If your air conditioner is blowing warm air – the exact opposite of what it’s supposed to do – contact the HVAC technicians at Schebler Heating and Air. We’re familiar with this common AC issue and can quickly find the root of the problem and make the appropriate AC repair so you don’t have to sweat it out a minute longer in a hot, uncomfortable home.

Keep reading to learn why your AC unit might be blowing warm air and how this issue is fixed. For all of your cooling service needs this summer, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends at Schebler.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, it’s usually relate to one of the following issues:

  1. Frozen evaporator coil
  2. Dirty or clogged HVAC filter
  3. Malfunctioning thermostat or settings error
  4. Refrigerant leak
  5. Lack of electricity

1. Frozen evaporator coil

A frozen evaporator coil is a common problem during the summertime and can lead to a number of issues, including warm air blowing from your vents. The evaporator coil uses refrigerant to extract heat from the air. During this process, condensation is pulled from the air and collected in a drip pan. A lack of airflow due to a clogged air filter or refrigerant leak, though, can disrupt the heat-transfer process and cause excess water to collect on the coil and freeze over time. This directly affects the coil’s ability to remove heat from the air, which will cause it to feel like warm air is coming from your system.

It’s important to shut off the system right away to allow the evaporator coil to thaw. Although there are DIY methods to thaw an evaporator coil, we recommend calling a professional HVAC company to safely remove the ice so no components are damaged.

2. Dirty or clogged HVAC filter

A dirty or clogged air filter can prevent your HVAC unit from properly moving air through the system, causing your AC unit to strain and blow warm air due to the aforementioned frozen evaporator coil. It’s important to replace air filters on a regular basis to promote good airflow. Most filters need to be replaced about every 3 months, but follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.

3. Malfunctioning thermostat

Sometimes, this issue can be as simple as accidentally turning the thermostat’s blower fan to ON instead of AUTO. This causes the fan to run continuously, even between cooling cycles. When this occurs, warmer air in your home will continue to circulate through the ducts and vents when the AC is not in cooling mode. A malfunctioning thermostat can also cause your system to blow warm air.

4. Refrigerant leak

A refrigerant leak is one of the most common reasons an AC blows warm air. If your system doesn’t have the proper refrigerant charge, it will struggle to cool your home to the set temperature and may even make the air coming from your vents feel warm. Refrigerant leaks should only be repaired by a certified HVAC professional, as refrigerant can cause health and environmental issues. Common signs of a refrigerant leak including a hissing sound, frozen evaporator coil and higher energy bills.

5. Electrical issue

Both your indoor and outdoor cooling system need electricity to run properly. If your system is blowing warm air, check your electrical panel to see if a breaker has been tripped, and reset it if necessary. Also, make sure the HVAC system’s ON/OFF switch is set to ON. It’s usually located next to your indoor air handler.

Contact Schebler for Quality AC Repair Services

If you suddenly notice that your AC is blowing warm or hot air, check to see if one of the issues we discussed is causing the problem, and then contact Schebler for reliable AC repair services. We look forward to hearing from you!