August on the Suncoast means school is back in session - and the sizzling summer heat has hit its stride. How are these related? Well, in this part of the country during this time of year, air conditioning is a critical necessity. So, there's nothing worse than trying to cool down in your home and escape the sweltering temperatures only to find warm air blowing from your vents.
In the spirit of school bells ringing, we thought we'd provide a valuable service and educate you on ways to troubleshoot your cooling system when it's giving you nothing but hot air. Each one even comes with a "grade level" to help you determine the difficulty of fixing the problem on your own or if you need to call a pro.
Check the Stat - Grade Level - 1
Hot air coming from A/C can be a significant issue with your cooling system. However, it can also be a simple, easy-to-remedy situation with your thermostat. If it needs new batteries, replace them. If the blower fan is set to ON instead of AUTO, it runs all the time - not just during a cooling cycle. In between cooling cycles, the air you feel from the vents can be warm. Also, ensure the fan is set to AUTO and the COOL setting is selected at your comfortable temperature. If your thermostat is set to heat… well, expect hot air. If your thermostat isn't working correctly or you'd like a programmable, energy-efficient upgrade, we can help.
Breaker, Breaker - Grade Level - 5
Once you ruled out the thermostat as the cause of warm air, you will need to ensure your HVAC has the power it needs to run. In a split air conditioning system, both the indoor and outdoor components must be operable to complete cooling cycles and deliver that beautiful cool air into your home. If power supply to your home's outdoor unit is interrupted, the indoor components are the only ones working, which causes warm air to blow from the home's vents. Check your electrical panel to verify the breakers for your HVAC system have not tripped and reset them if needed. If your breaker continues to trip for seemingly no reason, you will need to contact a professional HVAC technician or electrician.
Filter Fresh - Grade Level - 7
When the cooling system's filter is dirty, the air-conditioner cannot properly move air through the system and into your home. This strain to work properly can cause your A/C to blow warm air.
If you checked your thermostat and your breaker panel, take a look at your air filter to ensure it is clean. If the existing air filter is dirty, replace it with a new, clean filter to see if the warm air issue resolves. We recommend setting a monthly reminder to check the condition of your air filter at the start of every month.
Coil Concerns - Grade Level 12
Your cooling system has two sets of coils, the evaporator coil on your inside HVAC unit and the condenser coil on the outside unit. The evaporator coil is close to your air filter and picks up heat from your indoor air. So, if you have a dirty filter, you can have a dirty evaporator coil, which leads to impeded air flow and warm air pushing into your home. Just as the indoor evaporator coils need free airflow, so do the outdoor coils. If you suspect your outside condenser coil is dirty or full of debris, first turn off the unit and visually inspect everything. If you can see large debris that is easy to remove, do it! That's why it's recommended to maintain a minimum 2-foot clearance around the outdoor condenser unit at all times.
Low Refrigerant - Pro
Refrigerant is an essential part of your air conditioner. It is what absorbs heat to keep your treated air cool and crisp. If the refrigerant is low, your condenser isn't able to cool any air that comes into it, thus the reason you have warm air. If you suspect your refrigerant levels are low, we can help. Refrigerant is a toxic substance and should never be handed by anyone but a trained HVAC professional.
The Badger Bottom Line
Warm air inside your home on an even warmer day outside is not only uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. To prevent this problem altogether, be sure to give your cooling system the care and attention it deserves. If your unit needs to be replaced, now is the right time with our New A/C Guarantee. You can get the A/C system of your choice, 0% financing for up to 5 years, plus a 10-year warranty on parts and labor, and a 10-year maintenance plan. Give us a call or visit us HERE to learn more!