We’ve almost made it through the coolest time of the year here in Florida. If you’re a snowbird, you may wonder what all the fuss is about over colder temperatures. After all, if you were up north, you’d still be firing up the snowblower and worrying about your heating bill.

Instead, you hope that your AC will continue working for another season.

One common problem experienced by Florida residents is the AC blowing warm air. Here are a few tips to help troubleshoot your air conditioner when it doesn’t keep your home comfortable.

We’ll begin with the easiest to fix and end with the more complex.

Examine the Air Filter

You might wonder how something as simple as an air filter could cause something as frustrating as your AC blowing out warm air. Knowing the role the filter plays in your HVAC system explains it all.

A dirty air filter can prevent air from flowing correctly through the system. What happens then is, instead of a breath of fresh cool air, you get warm, humid air. 

When air can’t move freely, it puts a significant amount of strain on your AC. That strain can also result in your AC blowing warm air.

When your AC quits properly cooling your space, the first thing to do is check the filter. If it’s clean, great, but if you find a dirty air filter, replace it as soon as possible with a new filter.

If you can feel a change in the way your AC cools your home, problem solved!

Check Out Command Central

Have you ever thought about the impact the thermostat has on your cooling system? Think of your thermostat as the central command station for your entire HVAC system.

First, the thermostat relies on correct calibration. Its primary job is to direct the AC to turn on and off at the right time.

Thermostats tell your AC when to turn on and off. The thermostat depends on calibration, and when not adjusted correctly, the thermostat sends mixed messages to your AC.

Many people panic when they set the thermostat to the desired temperature, and their home continues to feel too hot. Often, they assume the worst and start pricing a fan motor, compressor, or condenser repair or replacement.

In this case, keep calm and check the thermostat calibration.

Whether you have a mercury thermostat or you’ve upgraded to a programmable thermostat, you can take care of calibration on your own. An even better option is to sign up for an annual AC maintenance plan. Most plans include calibration and thermostat inspections.

Inspect the Evaporator Coils

If changing the air filter and calibrating the thermostat doesn’t cure the problem, you could have frozen evaporator coils. That almost sounds like a joke in a warm climate like Florida, but it’s not uncommon.

Consider how evaporator coils work. They extract heat from the air inside your home. This action starts the cooling process.

A by-product of the cooling process is condensation. Your AC deals with the excess moisture caused by condensation by collecting it in a drip pan and condensate drain. From there, the system moves the water out.

When evaporator coils freeze, it prevents the transfer of heat. The result is your AC blowing warm air.

If you discover frozen coils, turn off the AC and let the coils thaw. Also, check for a clogged condensate drain or drip pan. If you’re not comfortable performing these checks, your heating and cooling technician can come over and troubleshoot.

Do You Have a Refrigerant Leak?

Another reason the AC isn’t cold could be a refrigerant leak. When this happens, the AC won’t have enough charge to fully complete the cooling cycle, meaning your indoor air will feel warmer than it should.

Sometimes you can hear the hiss of a refrigerant leak. If not, frozen evaporator coils can also point to a leak. A higher than normal cooling bill may indicate a refrigerant leak as well.

Troubleshooting leaks in your AC isn’t a DIY task. Refrigerant leaks must be taken care of by a qualified HVAC technician who holds certifications to handle refrigerants.

Other Reasons Why Your AC Is Not Cold

If the main topic of conversation is my AC won’t blow out cold air, you can’t ignore the problem. Beyond dirty air filters, thermostat miscalibration, frozen coils, and refrigerant leaks, other common issues cause an AC to blow hot air.

One of those issues is a dirty condenser unit. It’s a common repair and caused by dirt buildup on the coils.

The best solution for preventing warm air on a hot day is to schedule an HVAC inspection. Let a technician come by and check the AC system components. They may also do a system tune-up.

When your air conditioner struggles to keep your home comfortably cool, you can’t ignore the issue for too long. You’ll not only feel miserable, but you could prolong a necessary repair and end up with a bigger problem than you bargained for.

An AC unit that blows warm air should be inspected. Along with an inspection, a tune-up is an excellent way to correct any issues and prevent future breakdowns.

Annual maintenance visits help your HVAC technician detect issues early on before they evolve into costly repairs.

Is Your AC Blowing Warm Air?

If your biggest complaint about your HVAC system is my AC isn’t cold, it can make you feel out of sorts. No one wants to sit around a warm house on a hot day!

Is your AC blowing warm air? The good news is you can do several things to troubleshoot and correct this common cooling system issue.

Try the tips we’ve shared in this article, but if you still can’t get comfortable, contact the team at Cliff’s Air Conditioning and Heating. We’ve been keeping customers cool since 1978!