Having air conditioning issues on hot summer days leaves you uncomfortable in your home. At Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand how frustrating it is to feel lukewarm air coming from your vents. Below, learn more about the most common reasons this happens. Then, call an HVAC professional to help you pinpoint the issue and resolve it quickly.
1. Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels account for most cases of warm air blowing from vents. Your AC system uses refrigerant to absorb heat and humidity and transfer it outdoors. If the system has a refrigerant leak, the AC unit will struggle to cool the home.
Signs of a refrigerant leak include ice build-up on the system and hissing or bubbling noises. If you notice any of these issues alongside warm air blowing from the vents, contact an HVAC technician immediately. Refrigerant leaks can cause damage to the compressor motor and result in shortening the equipment’s lifespan.
2. Thermostat Settings
Before jumping to conclusions and assuming your AC has a serious problem, check the thermostat. During seasonal changes, people occasionally forget to switch from “heating” mode to “cooling” mode. Installing a programmable thermostat can help you maintain consistent indoor temperatures and avoid this problem.
Additionally, you might need to change the thermostat’s batteries. When the batteries run low, the thermostat can’t communicate properly with the system, affecting the heating and cooling settings.
3. Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters block airflow, making the AC unit work harder to do its job. The system could overheat and cause warm air to blow through the vents. Check your system’s air filters every 30 days and change them when they appear dirty.
Most air filters last 60-90 days, depending on the type of filter. However, household size, number of pets, and whether you smoke or vape in the home can affect how often you need to change the filter, too.
4. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Coils absorb heat from the air conditioning unit. If the evaporator coils don’t receive proper airflow, either because of a clogged air filter or a mechanical issue, the coils freeze and warm air blows from the vents. In this case, you will need to change the air filter if it’s dirty and call an HVAC technician to clean the evaporator coils.
5. Fan Problems
Inside the AC’s interior unit, there’s a fan. This fan might have difficulty doing its job for a few reasons:
- Faulty motor
- Lack of lubrication
- Worn-out belts
Another reason you might encounter fan issues is exposure to excessive dirt and debris.
Address fan problems immediately to prevent more serious problems from happening, such as compressor failure. A damaged compressor usually results in complete air conditioner replacement because repair costs equal or exceed the replacement value.
The best way to avoid fan issues that lead to warm air issues (and possible compressor failure) is to schedule a pre-season tune-up with qualified HVAC professionals. During this maintenance service, the technician cleans the fan, lubricates its moving parts, replaces any worn-out belts, and inspects the fan for motor issues.
6. Poorly Designed Ductwork
Your home’s ductwork has one job: to move the heated or cooled air from the indoor air handler throughout the home. If ductwork isn’t designed correctly, warm, or in this case, cooled air may not reach every room in the house. Some rooms could blow warm air from some vents more than others. If you suspect you have duct problems, call a technician to inspect your home’s ductwork.
7. Dirty Condenser Coils
Your air conditioning system’s outside unit is called the condenser unit. It’s responsible for expelling heat from the home. Condenser coils covered with grime and dust make it difficult for the condenser unit to complete the heat transfer process. Instead of removing heat from the home, a dirty condenser just pushes it back through the system, and you end up with warm air blowing through the vents.
Cleaning the condenser unit regularly can prevent this from happening. HVAC experts recommend hosing off the unit and removing any debris once a week as part of your yard maintenance routine.
Schedule an AC Tune-Up Today
Get ahead of problems like AC units blowing warm air by scheduling AC maintenance today. At Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer AC maintenance services, AC repair, heating services, and indoor air quality solutions for homes through Commerce City, CO. Contact Smith & Willis Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more!
