Energy bills can get expensive over the summer, so why pay for a comfort system that blows warm air all day? The last thing you want this summer is to be stuck in your North Alabama home without any cool air. You don’t have to give up your comfort this summer on a sweltering day. Garrison & Garrison is here to help you prevent your comfort system from malfunctioning. In this article, we will discuss several reasons why your comfort system might be causing you cooling troubles, and how you can prevent them. air conditioner is blowing hot air
1. Thermostat Settings
The first thing to check when your air conditioning system isn’t working properly should always be the thermostat. Sometimes warm air blowing out of your air conditioning system can be something as small as an incorrect thermostat setting. It can be easy to forget to switch the thermostat to “cool” after winter so always double-check your thermostat before getting too worried.
Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” and not “heat”. It is also important to keep the fan setting on “auto” rather than “on”. If the fan is set to “on” but the air conditioning is not on, the fan will continuously blow warm air throughout your home.
2. Dirty Air Filters
It may be easy to forget to change an air filter here and there, but a dirty air filter can cause more problems than you may expect. If your air filters are full of dirt it can put a strain on your air conditioning system as it tries to push air through the filter. Reduced airflow prevents your AC system from removing heat from the air, in turn, blowing warm air into your home.
If your system has not been serviced recently it is best to check the air filter and replace dirty air filters with fresh ones. Keeping up with air filter replacements is also an important step towards good air quality in your home.
3. Blocked Return Vents
Before we get too technical, start by checking the return air vents. If you closed them for the winter but forgot to reopen them as the weather began to heat up, they could be the culprit of warm air circulating. Sometimes furniture can be the culprit if it is placed too close to the air vents in your home, preventing the air from flowing freely. Try moving your furniture further away from your air vents to let air flow freely throughout your home. air conditioner is blowing hot air
4. Refrigerant Leak
If those quick solutions didn’t solve the problem, you could have a refrigerant leak. If your air conditioning system is leaking refrigerant, it will likely blow warm air. A hissing sound coming from your air conditioning system could be the result of a coolant leak in your air conditioning system.
Coolant leaks should always be left to the professionals. If you suspect a refrigerant leak in your air conditioning system be sure to call Garrison & Garrison, your locally trusted licensed and insured heating and cooling company.
5. Electricity
If the power supply to your air conditioning system is interrupted it could result in miscommunication between the different components. Your AC system could be blowing warm air throughout your home if the indoor component is working properly, but the outdoor system has an interrupted electricity connection. If this happens to your air conditioning system there are a few important steps to fixing the problem.
First, check the breaker and make sure it isn’t tripped. If you live in a home that has a fuse box, check for any blown fuses. Finally, head outside to the outdoor air conditioning component and reset the power supply by switching it to “ON”.
6. Evaporator Coils
You may have heard of a “frozen” air conditioning system before. When the system freezes, it is the evaporator coils that become frozen. When the evaporator removes heat from the air to cool it down, there is often condensation created in the process. If the air has excessive moisture it can freeze when in contact with the evaporator coils, reducing the system’s ability to cool the air. air conditioner blowing hot air
If you suspect your air conditioning system has frozen it is possible to check without a professional. First, turn off the power to the system so that you can safely open the door to the system. Once you have access to the inside of the air conditioning system, inspect the coils for any frost that could be present. air conditioner is blowing hot air
If the evaporator coils appear to be frozen, give your air conditioning system 24 hours to thaw before turning it back on. Turning the system on during the thawing process could mean restarting the 24-hour period. At this point, it is best to call the professionals at Garrison & Garrison to come out and take a look at your HVAC system.
7. Condenser Coils
Not to be confused with evaporator coils, the condenser coils could also be the culprit of warm air blowing throughout your home. Now that you have checked the indoor unit it is time to head outside to the condenser. This is the part of the system that removes heat from your home, and it uses condenser coils to do the job. air conditioner is blowing hot air
Because the system is outside and exposed to the elements, dirt and debris can build up over time. As more and more debris enters the system it can impede the ability of the condenser coils to expel heat. To clean the condenser coils be sure to wear gloves and remove any larger items such as leaves from the area. Once larger debris is removed use a garden hose to clean any dirt off of the coils. air conditioner is blowing hot air
Still Need Help?
If, after all of that, your air conditioning system is still blowing warm air, it is best to bring in the professionals. Not every problem can be fixed without the assistance of a trained air conditioning technician, which is why Garrison & Garrison is here to help. For more information on our maintenance program and how we can help keep your air conditioning system running properly, give us a call at (256) 859-8500. You can rest easy knowing your comfort system is in good hands with us.
