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Air Conditioner Not Blowing Cold Air? Here’s What Could Be Wrong…

air-conditioner-blowing-warm-air

There are several possible reasons your air conditioner is blowing warm air. While you may be able to correct some minor problems, it is likely that you will need to call a professional to diagnose and repair what’s wrong. Some common causes are:

  • Low refrigerant:

    The refrigerant is the chemical in your A/C system that cools the air before it is blown into your home through a series of ducts. If the refrigerant runs low, the A/C won’t produce cool air. A trained technician can recharge the refrigerant, as well as spot and seal any leaks in the system.

  • Condenser shut down:

    The condenser cools the incoming refrigerant vapor, converting it into a liquid. This is a key part of the cooling process. If it overheats or malfunctions, it may shut down, causing warm air to blow through your system. In addition, leaves and other debris can block the system’s air intakes, causing the unit to stop cooling.

  • Thermostat:

    The thermostat regulates the temperature in your household, and allows you to control the temperature setting for your personal comfort. The thermostat may simply be on the wrong setting: “fan” instead of “cool,” for instance. If the unit is malfunctioning, however, heating your household instead of cooling, it will need to be fixed or replaced.

  • Wiring:

    Air conditioners require a lot of wires, connecting the internal and external units. As a result, electrical problems could be the source of the problem. A frayed, cut, or otherwise damaged wire could cause poor performance or a complete breakdown of the unit.

What You Can Do:

  • Check the thermostat to make sure that it is on the correct setting.

    The switch may have inadvertently been moved to the wrong setting when cleaning around the thermostat, or simply switched accidentally.

  • Check the air filter.

    An old, dirty air filter could be the cause of your problem and is an easy, inexpensive fix. Tip: Buy enough air filters for the season to make replacing them even easier. As a bonus, regularly replacing filters helps keep your system running smoothly.

  • Clean your air conditioner unit.

    Check your outdoor unit for debris, such as dirt and leaves that may have collected. Make sure your landscaping (such as shrubs, plants and trees) is at least 2 feet away from the unit.

  • Check the electricity to the unit.

    Make sure the circuit breaker has not been tripped. Carefully check that all the wiring and electrical connections are in tact.

  • If all else fails, contact IAQ.

    Our HVAC team is highly trained to quickly assess and correct the problem. Don’t sweat it! Call us today!