Air Conditioning

Why Is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

An air conditioner that runs but blows warm air has almost always stopped moving heat outdoors. The most common causes are a failed capacitor or condenser fan motor, a tripped breaker on the outdoor circuit, low refrigerant charge from a leak, or an indoor coil that has frozen and can no longer absorb heat.

(662) 555-0117 Book Online

Check these before calling

Thermostat is set to cool with the setpoint below room temperature
The air filter is clean enough to see light through
Both the indoor and outdoor breakers are on
The outdoor fan is spinning and the unit is not blocked by grass or shrubs
There is no ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil

The most common causes, in order

Failed run capacitor. The compressor or fan hums but will not start, so no heat leaves the house
Condenser fan motor failure. Without airflow across the outdoor coil, the system cannot reject heat
Tripped outdoor breaker. The indoor blower still runs, so air moves but it is never cooled
Low refrigerant charge from a leak. Refrigerant is not consumed, so low charge always means a leak
Frozen evaporator coil, caused by restricted airflow or low charge
Compressor failure, which is the least common and most expensive of the group

What to do if the coil is frozen

Turn the system to off and the fan to on. Moving room temperature air across the coil melts the ice faster and safely. Full thaw can take a few hours.

Do not run cooling while the system is iced. Liquid refrigerant returning to the compressor is how a capacitor level problem turns into a compressor level problem.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add refrigerant myself?

No. Refrigerant handling requires certification and proper gauges, and adding refrigerant to a leaking system without finding the leak wastes money and can damage the compressor if the charge is set incorrectly.

Why does my AC cool at night but not in the afternoon?

That pattern points to a system running near the edge of its capacity. A dirty condenser coil, low charge, or a marginally sized system can satisfy the load in cool evening conditions and fall behind on a hot afternoon.

AC Repair

Get the system diagnosed

AC Maintenance

Prevent the common causes

AC Not Cooling

When the system runs but the house stays warm

Need service scheduled today?

Call for the fastest response, or book online and get a confirmation code right away.