Few things are more frustrating than turning your air conditioner on when the weather is hot and humid, expecting your home to cool down, and then discovering that your vents are blowing warm air. While this problem could indicate problems with your air conditioner, it could also be caused by simple issues that can be corrected quickly. Here are three reasons your air conditioner is blowing warm air.

What Causes AC Units to Blow Warm Air? 

1. Improper Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat has two basic fan settings, “on” and “auto.” While “auto” is designed to trigger your system to run whenever the air conditioner outdoors is pumping, “on” causes your fan to run constantly, even when the system isn’t cooling your home.

While many people choose to run their fans more frequently to boost ventilation after carpet cleaning or an indoor smoke event, having this setting turned on during the summer could allow uncooled air to blow through your house. 

If you notice warm air coming from your ducts when you think your air conditioning system is on, check your thermostat to make sure the unit is set to “auto,” and that the air conditioning is running instead of the heat. 

2. Refrigerant Line or Compressor Problems

Refrigerant is a liquid substance that acts like a sponge, picking up heat from the air that runs through your home’s air exchanger evaporator coils.

However, if refrigerant levels are low due to a leak in the line, or the compressor is damaged and unable to move refrigerant, your system could blow warm air instead of cooled, dehumidified air. Professional HVAC contractors can check refrigerant line levels and look for compressor problems to determine if repairs or replacements are necessary. 

3. Dirty Evaporator Coils 

As air passes through your air exchanger and over your evaporator coils, condensation occurs that pulls heat and humidity out of your air. However, if your evaporator coils are dirty because you haven’t been changing the indoor air filter routinely, they may need to be professionally cleaned to help your air conditioner to operate properly. 

If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be operating at peak capacity, turn to Ashland Furnace Co. With more than 50 years' worth of experience helping home and business owners with air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and indoor air quality concerns, you can get the help you need to keep your home comfortable and safe. Schedule a service call by sending them a message online or by giving their office a call at (606) 325-3211.