Figure Out why Your AC is Circulating Warm Air

It might take a few hours, or depending on the outside temperatures, even a day or two to notice, but if your central air conditioner is blowing air that’s lukewarm , you’ve got a problem, and a common one at that.

A variety of possible explanations could be behind this issue, some you can handle yourself, and others that definitely should be left to your trusted Cincinnati air conditioning service provider.

Why Is the AC Delivering Warm Air?

Here are the most common reasons:

1. The thermostat is on the wrong setting: “heat” rather than “cool.” You’d be surprised at how often this occurs, especially during seasons when your home is having to use both cooling and heating (typically fall or spring).

The good news is this is an easy fix. Just switch the setting to cool. (Usually when this is the problem, however, the system fan won’t be running at all, rather than delivering warm air. That’s unless the temperature setting is higher than the temperature in the house, which would be unusual in the summer.)

2. The fan setting on the thermostat is on “fan only” or “on” rather than “auto.” When this is the issue, the blower in the AC system will run constantly rather than when the thermostat temperature setting kicks on the AC. You may decide to use this setting purposefully to circulate air in the house; just don’t forget to change the setting back to “auto” when you want normal operation. Some people prefer the constant fan noise to the stop and start of normal operation.
3. The air filter is clogged. This won’t necessarily make the air conditioner blow warm air, but a dirty filter will make the equipment run longer and harder in order to deliver the same results it would if the filter were clean and allowing smooth airflow.

Inspect the AC filter every month and change it when it gets clogged with dust and debris. This will not only improve cooling system performance and efficiency; it’s easier on the equipment, resulting in fewer breakdowns and a longer service life. Having a fresh filter also has obvious benefits for indoor air quality, providing the filter is rated for medium or better efficiency.

4. The evaporator or condensing coils are dirty. Over time, dust, dirt and even mold can cling to the evaporator and condensing coils, the components where the vital heat-exchange process takes place. As with a dirty air filter, dirty coils will force the cooling system to work longer and harder to deliver the same result. Your professional AC technician should clean dirty coils as part of regular system maintenance.

More Reasons for an AC Supplying Warm Air

5. The compressor in the outside AC unit isn’t turning on, for whatever reason.

• Check to make sure the compressor/condenser (the outside unit) is turned on if it has a separate power switch.
• Check the circuit breaker, too. If the compressor isn’t running, the indoor air handler unit may continue to run without blowing any cool air.
• Inspect the area around the outside unit to make sure nothing is blocking airflow into the equipment.

6. Refrigerant is low. This is the result of a central air conditioning system that’s leaking refrigerant, or had insufficient coolant to begin with, making for warmer air delivery. Checking refrigerant is a job for a trained technician working for one of Cincinnati’s best AC companies.

The vast majority of homeowners aren’t certified or trained to work with potentially toxic refrigerants.

If you’re experiencing problems with air conditioner performance, or a broken AC unit, it’s a good long-term strategy to schedule annual preventative maintenance on your cooling system.

This not only will minimize the risk of breakdowns; it also will optimize performance and efficiency. Consider joining a maintenance club, offered by the most of the highest-rated Cincinnati HVAC contractors.

You Might Need to Consider AC Replacement

Of course, all HVAC systems have a finite service life, and yours may be so old that it no longer can provide the cooling that you expect. In that case, you’ll have to consider upgrading your cooling system.

Your AC technician will discuss your options. They may even suggest switching to a high-efficiency ductless AC installation.