Experts have warned that this year’s summer will be more intense than past summers because of the ongoing drought. Most western states are expected to feel the heat with a lower chance of rain than usual.
Air conditioners will be running overtime in every house or office come summertime, and they should be blowing out cold air. If warm air comes out after firing it up, it’s best to get in touch with a professional AC repair service such as AC Repair Strasburg or any reputable service provider in your area.
Meanwhile, do you keep on getting warm air from your AC? Time to check the system. You can rely on professional repair services to get it done, no matter what the reason is for the AC’s failure. Here are some possible causes:
- Thermostat Problems
Before phoning in a problematic AC, it pays to take a second look at it. It’s not unusual for the problem of warm air blowing to stem from an incorrect thermostat setting. You may have just dialed it higher than usual and forgotten to bring it back down.
Even a dirty thermostat can be a problem. Dirt and dust can get inside the circuitry and wreak havoc on its sensors, resulting in inaccurate temperature readings. Experts advise cleaning the inside with a soft brush now and then.
On the other hand, you can call in an expert if the thermostat is:
- More than a decade old
- Placed next to a warm draft source (e.g., windows, vents)
- Not reaching the prescribed temperature
- Not working at all (may require an electrician)
- Clogged Filters And Drains
The nuts and bolts of how ACs work warrant their own article. But to sum it up, they remove heat from a room and replace it with cool air through a system of blowers and coils filled with refrigerant. Anything that hinders the airflow inside the unit can affect its overall performance.
One of the most common of these issues is a clogged air filter. The buildup of particulates on the filter’s surface can get large enough to become a wall that prevents seamless airflow. Cleaning out the accumulated dirt and dust can let air flow unimpeded, but filters can degrade after a few years of usage. As a rule of thumb, experts advise replacing filters every year.
Clogged drain pipes are as much of a pain. The water flowing out from the back of the AC unit comes from the humid indoor air. If the only way out of the unit gets blocked by dirt and debris, there’s a risk that the water will back up. Not only will the AC blow warm air inside the room, but it can also create moisture that can foster unwanted growth.
- Low Refrigerant Levels
Central to the function of any AC is the winding coils filled with refrigerant. This compound aids in expelling indoor heat by rapidly switching between liquid and gaseous states. The refrigerant turns into a liquid when it absorbs heat. A fan eventually blows the absorbed heat outside while the refrigerant cools and returns to being a gas.
Contrary to popular belief, ACs don’t need topping off because the refrigerant works in a closed system. As such, warm air coming out of the AC can signify that the coils have sprung a serious leak. As the refrigerant is toxic to humans and animals, repairing the leak and refilling the coils are tasks best left to the professionals.
If your AC dates back to earlier than 2020, experts suggest replacing the refrigerant completely. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has phased out HCFC-22 refrigerants because of their adverse effects on the ozone layer. Modern AC units carry new refrigerants like R-410A, apart from improved performance and lower energy consumption.
- Damaged Ductwork
For homes and offices that operate centralized AC systems, holes in the ductwork are another worry. What makes them a pain to fix is that the leak can be anywhere along the duct network. According to Energy Star, between 20% and 30% of warm or cool air is lost this way, leading to hefty electricity bills.
One way of checking for damaged or loose ductwork is to check if there’s air coming out of the joints while the AC is running. Do you feel warm air from your AC? Time to check the system by marking the affected areas and contacting an AC repair professional. The repair work won’t come cheap, but so will the energy lost.
Conclusion
Whether or not summer’s already here, the last thing anyone wants is an AC that doesn’t blow cool air when needed. Keeping the unit in working order, even if it means calling professional services, results in savings in the long term.
