Summertime HVAC Troubleshooting: Why is my A/C Blowing Warm Air?

It’s no fun going without proper cooling during the summer months in the Bay Area. Fortunately, air conditioning units are pretty reliable for a number of years, providing your home with refreshing cooled air to keep you and your loved ones comfortable. But sometimes, things go wrong, and one of the most common concerns people may ask about is why their A/C unit is blowing warm air.

If you’d like an overview of reasons why your unit might be blowing warm air before you call in an HVAC professional, then we’ve got you covered. Here we outline some of the most common reasons that your A/C may be blowing warm air, rather than cold air.

The Thermostat is Set to “Heat” or “On”

It sounds obvious, but oftentimes homeowners will wonder about the air coming from their vents being warm, without checking the temperature setting on their thermostat. Do this first before anything else. You may have accidentally set your system to have the heating unit kick-on, in which case, it’s probably working just as it should be. It also could be set to the “on” function, which will cause the system to blow uncooled air while the outdoor unit isn’t running.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant acts as a cooling agent in A/C systems by absorbing heat from the air, which in turn provides you with “conditioned” air. If your refrigerant gets low, that means there is a leak. Check your outdoor unit for a frozen refrigerant line, or for any unusual noises. If it’s making a hissing noise, then the leak is probably pretty major. If you notice these signs coming from your A/C unit, then it’s time to call in a professional to find and repair the leak as well as replace the lost refrigerant.

Restricted Air Flow

If you haven’t replaced your HVAC air filter in a long time, or, if you haven’t had maintenance performed on your A/C system this year, then you could be dealing with restricted air flow. This type of issue can result in too little air coming from the vents, which can seem as though the unit is blowing warm air. Improper air flow can also cause other major issues for your home’s cooling system, which could cause your outdoor unit’s compressor to stop functioning.

Faulty Ductwork

A less common cause of an A/C unit blowing warm air is a faulty return duct, which could be either disconnected or broken. If this happens, then the return duct is pulling in air from either the outdoors, or from a warm attic space. If this is your issue, you’ll need to call in a professional HVAC technician.

Need Professional Help? Call us Today!

Aside from your thermostat being improperly set, if you notice any of the above issues with your A/C unit, then you’ll want to seek the help of a certified HVAC professional.
ACS Air Conditioning Systems has been helping Bay Area residents with their cooling needs for over 40 years, offering professional service to satisfied customers. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly skilled technicians: (925) 676-2103.