My AC is Blowing Warm Air. Now What?

When it’s a warm Southern California day, nothing feels better than putting on the AC. Down here, air conditioning is a necessity, parts of Orange County can get so warm that people would get sick without AC. But what happens when you turn on your AC and feel warm air coming out? First, it’s alarming, and second, it’s maddening. This is why we’re sharing the most common reasons why your AC is blowing warm air, and what to do about it.

Thermostat Problems

If your AC is blowing warm air one of the most common, and easiest to fix, problems is the thermostat. We’ve shared how to troubleshoot thermostats before, but your first step should be to turn it off and turn it on again. If this yields no results, it’s time to call an HVAC technician. They are able to look at your thermostat and can easily let you know if you need a new one.

Low Refrigerant

Refrigerant is an essential part of your air conditioner. It is what absorbs heat to keep your treated air cool and crisp. If the refrigerant is low, your condenser isn’t able to cool any air that comes into it, thus the reason you have warm air. Low refrigerant levels are a sign of a leak or malfunction in your system. If there is ice forming on the outside of your condenser, it’s a clear sign refrigerant levels are very low. If you suspect your refrigerant levels are low, call an HVAC technician. Refrigerant is a toxic substance and should never be handed by anyone but a trained HVAC professional. It’s crucial you call someone to fix your unit if you see ice forming on the outside of your condenser or you suspect your refrigerant is low.

Dirty Evaporator Coil

Quick AC lesson: central air conditioner units have two sets of coils, the evaporator coil on your inside HVAC unit and the outdoor condenser coil. The evaporator coil picks up heat from your indoor air and it’s very close to your air filter. If your air filter hasn’t been changed recently, it could be very dirty, which could lead to a dirty evaporator coil. If the air filter and evaporator coil are dirty, it could lead to impeded air flow. This block of air flow won’t allow cold air through, instead, it will push warm air into your home.

Dirty Condenser Coil

Your outdoor condenser coil releases any collected warm air into the environment. While your outdoor condenser may look like a strong piece of machinery, the inside coils can easily be damaged or blocked by debris. Which can result in your AC blowing warm air. If you suspect your condenser coil is dirty or full of debris, first turn off the unit and visually inspect everything. If you can see large debris that is easy to remove, do it! If there is smaller debris that requires a more thorough cleaning, it’s time to call Service Champions.

Electrical Problems

HVAC systems require a lot of power. One thing that can cause your AC to blow warm is if the circuit breaker if off or malfunctioning. If there is too much power demand, the circuit breaker can shut itself off. If this is the case, all you need to do is turn off, then turn on the circuit breaker. Be wary though, if you need to keep checking the circuit breaker, or if it keeps going off, there could be a larger electrical problem for you to deal with.

Need AC Maintenance or Repair? Call the Experts at Service Champions

Is your AC blowing warm air? It’s time to call Service Champions! Our expertly trained technicians are on hand to solve any cooling problems you may have. We lead Orange County in service, professionalism, and friendliness. Service Champions is the only Diamond Certified HVAC and plumbing provider in Southern California. To schedule an appointment, reach out to our friendly call center representatives or click here to book online.