On a scorching hot day in Shreveport, LA, you want nothing more than to come home to a cool house. If you have warm air blowing from your vents, you get no relief, and your AC isn’t doing its job. The reasons your air conditioner blows warm air can run the gamut from a dirty filter to a malfunctioning compressor. Consider having the problem diagnosed quickly to maintain your household’s comfort and ensure everyone’s safety from indoor overheating.
In this post, you’ll learn more about the possible reasons why your AC might be blowing warm air. At Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co., we never recommend DIY repair beyond changing the filter or making minor adjustments to the thermostat because of the possible pitfalls. Although the internet has plenty of videos that support do-it-yourself repairs, you risk damaging your air conditioner more if you make a mistake. Also, you might be fixing something that isn’t broken. HVAC experts have specialized equipment and expert knowledge to troubleshoot and diagnose without guessing.
Read the following information about the possible causes of poor AC performance. Then, let a professional give you a proper diagnosis and make the repairs.
Problem #1: Thermostat Issues
The thermostat is your air conditioner’s control center. A thermostat set incorrectly can significantly affect the temperature of the air coming from your vents. Make sure you’ve switched the thermostat’s setting to “cool.” It’s easy to accidentally flip the switch in the wrong direction, and instead of cooling the house, you heat it. If you have a zoned HVAC system, check each zone’s thermostat to ensure they’re set to “cool.”
If making that adjustment doesn’t solve the problem, your thermostat might have a malfunction. Replacing or repairing the thermostat becomes necessary.
Problem #2: Clogged Air Filters
Every time air enters your AC unit, it moves through the system’s air filter. While you might not think a clogged air filter presents a huge problem, it can. Restricted airflow causes your AC unit to overcompensate and can put too much strain on the unit’s fan, its motor, or its compressor. The more stress the unit endures, the more likely it is to overheat and eventually shut down.
Eventually, evaporator coils freeze due to clogged air filters because there’s not enough airflow to regulate their temperature, leading to them getting too cold and forming ice. It can also cause excessive dirt and dust buildup on the evaporator coil. Both situations can result in warm air blowing from your home’s vents.
You should check your AC filter every 30 days and replace as necessary, generally every 60-90 days.
Problem #3: Low Refrigerant Levels
Proper heat exchange begins with correct refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant levels cause your air conditioner to cool less. When you’ve ruled out thermostat and filter issues, the lack of cold air blowing through your vents is likely caused by low refrigerant levels.
Low refrigerant problems happen when you have a leak. These situations make it difficult for the system to transfer heat out of the home. Routine air conditioning maintenance can help you avoid this problem.
A slow leak in the refrigerant line can cause levels to drop. So can a refrigerant leak in the evaporator coil. You can’t determine these issues without the proper instrumentation that professionals have. Addressing low-level leaks quickly ensures better cooling and prevents refrigerant-related damage to your air conditioning system.
Fixing leaks and recharging the refrigerant requires the specialized expertise of HVAC professionals. DIY jobs done incorrectly only complicate the situation more and cause your air conditioner to continue blowing warm air. Furthermore, do-it-yourselfers don’t have access to R-22 or R-410A refrigerant, and the equipment addresses leaks and recharges the system.
Problem #4: Malfunctioning or Restricted Compressor
Your home’s AC unit’s compressor is housed in the outdoor unit. Its primary job is to compress the refrigerant to ensure the evaporator coil and the condenser coil stay cool. A condenser coil not working at full capacity can’t expel hot air outside. When this happens, the indoor air temperature increases because the cooling coil can’t get as cold as it needs to send cold air through your vents.
Many issues can cause compressor problems. The simplest problem relates to dirty condenser coils. Usually, before you notice warm air coming from your vents, you’ll notice the compressor struggling to turn on. Never ignore this initial sign of an impending problem. You can do your part to keep condenser coils clean by hosing off the outdoor unit once a week to remove buildup such as grass, leaves, and other debris inside the unit.
Problem #5: Clogged Water Line
Conditioning warm air produces water in the system. To get rid of the water, the air conditioner has a built-in drainage system. It’s not a fancy system, just a condensate line or hose that drains into a floor drain. However, sometimes the line gets clogged and can leak water. If a water leak occurs, the air conditioner will shut down the compressor. Before this happens, you might notice the air from your vents isn’t as cool as well as puddling around the AC unit. Get the problem fixed ASAP to ensure optimal performance and prevent serious damage to the air conditioning unit that could require a total replacement.
How to Prevent the AC From Blowing Warm Air
Taking immediate action when you notice warm air blowing from the vents when the air conditioner runs keeps the problem from escalating. However, preventing it decreases discomfort and inconvenience. Fortunately, you can easily avoid this problem by scheduling regular maintenance.
Professional maintenance done once a year ensures all moving parts stay lubricated or tightened (depending on the part) and catches potential problems before they escalate into major repairs. It also ensures your unit gets a good overall cleaning to prevent problems like AC units producing warm air.
High-Quality AC Repairs in Shreveport
No matter what air conditioning problem you experience at home, the professionals at Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. have affordable and long-lasting solutions. Not to mention, we’re the plumbing team locals like best! For over 60 years, we’ve provided top-tier service. We take pride in being area homeowners’ one-stop solution for HVAC services, plumbing, and drain and sewer needs. When you’re looking for AC repair solutions that don’t break the bank, make us the first call. We have many budget-friendly solutions and even offer discounts for military personnel and first responders.
We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and are active members of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. We take pride in being a member of the community and having a reputation for providing excellent customer service and quality repairs. You can count on us for fast response times and flexible financing options for installs.
If your air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it used to and blows warm air, we can figure out the problem quickly and keep you comfortable in your home. Call Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co. today to learn more!
