Why is my AC blowing warm air?
Have you ever had your air conditioner freeze up on you? What about when it starts blowing warm air instead of cold? There are many questions we may have for when the air conditioning is on the fritz. Read on for some of the most common concerns and answers, which can be the most likely causes of air conditioner malfunctions.
Is the thermostat is set to “heat?”
It may seem obvious, but there have been times when someone has bumped the switch to the “heat” position in the middle of summer. If this isn’t the case, check if your fan is set to “on” instead of “auto.” If the fan is switched to “on,” it will blow air even when the air conditioning isn’t running and cooling air. This causes your AC to circulate warmer outside air even when the cooling unit is switched off.
Is the air flow restricted to the AC unit?
When was the last time you replaced the air filter on your air conditioner? If you can’t remember, it may be time to let your air conditioner breathe a bit. If there’s not enough air coming into your home or office through the vents, the internal temperature is likely to rise due to reduced cooling effectiveness.
Another culprit of restricted airflow is dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils take hot air inside your home or office, and release it to the outside air. If there is dirt on the coils, your air conditioner’s efficiency is greatly reduced.
Is the outside unit getting electricity?
There are two main parts to your air conditioner: an outside unit, and an inside unit. The outside unit has a separate power supply from the interior. If the breaker is tripped or a fuse is blown on the exterior unit, it won’t turn on. However, the inside unit will still work, and fans will circulate the warmer air inside your home or office. Breakers generally switch off due to a power overload. If an excess of electricity runs through the breaker, it trips as a safety precaution. In addition to a tripped breaker, a fuse may be blown on a circuit, which would also cause the exterior unit to stop working.
If the circuit breaker keeps tripping, or if you suspect a blown fuse, contact us, as there may be a larger underlying problem. We can ensure that your AC unit’s breaker and fuses are able to handle the large power draw requirements.
Is the unit leaking Refrigerant Gas?
Leaks are frustrating, random, and unpredictable. Vibration and normal wear and tear can cause seals to shake loose, releasing freon gas into the outside air. Regular inspections can help to catch these leaks before they become a problem. Air conditioners should not need annual recharging with freon gas; if this is the case, there is a leak that needs to be fixed. A properly built and maintained AC system should not need a recharge more than once. If you suspect that your air conditioner is leaking, do not try to fix it yourself. Contact us, and we’ll have a professional come out and handle the situation.
Is the compressor blown?
A blown compressor basically means that the air conditioning unit won’t work. Causes can range from electrical failure, refrigerant gas coming back to the compressor, overheating, and more. Unfortunately, compressors aren’t fixable, and need to be replaced when they go bad. The good news is that compressors usually last at least 10-20 years. When the compressor goes bad, it may be worth it to replace the unit with a newer, more energy-efficient system.
Is the air conditioner frozen?
Believe it or not, air conditioning units can freeze. How? Well, the evaporator coil collects condensation. This condensation then evaporates into the air. However, the condensation can freeze on the coils if the AC unit is blowing air that’s below 32º Fahrenheit. This generally happens on a very hot day when you set the AC to blow at its highest setting. In order to prevent this from happening, set your thermostat on auto-fan at a temperature range of 70-72ºF. If your air conditioner is already frozen, turn it off and let it thaw. If it freezes up again, contact us.