The last thing you need to happen when it's hot and muggy is for your AC to put out warm air. This is a problem you want to be fixed right away so your home can cool down again. A few things can cause this problem, and the repairs might be simple or involved and costly. Check your thermostat settings first and if the thermostat is set correctly, call an AC repair service for help. Here are some things that could be wrong with your air conditioner that make it blow warm air.

The Refrigerant Has Leaked Out

Your AC won't cool down your house at all without refrigerant even if the fan blows. Refrigerant leaks are often slow and give clues that the level of refrigerant is getting low. However, it's possible to have a sudden leak that takes you by surprise. The only solution for a leak is for the AC repair technician to plug the leak or replace a coil so the system will hold new refrigerant. Once the refrigerant is back to a normal level and pressure, your AC should chill down your home and work normally again.

The Refrigerant Coils Are Dirty

When your AC blows air, but the air is warm, that narrows down the possible causes of the malfunction. If the refrigerant level is not low, the repair technician might suspect dirty coils. If the evaporator or condenser coils are coated in grime, grass clippings, or dust, the refrigerant in the coils can't cool down the air as effectively. Dirty coils can set off a number of problems, including ice formation on the refrigerant lines.

The solution to the problem of dirty coils is to have the coils cleaned. The technician might use a brush or foaming cleanser to get all the built-up grime off the coils. The condenser coil is outside and can get coated with grass clippings, dirt, and debris blown in the cage from the wind.

Indoor coils can get coated with dust, and since condensation forms on the coils, the dust gets sticky and forms a coating on the coils. Plus, the dust itself can form a thick mat that blocks the refrigerant from doing its job. However, cleaning the coils solves this problem no matter how dirty the coils are. If the coils have been dirty a long time, you could see a big difference in the way your AC cools your house.

If the coils in the indoor or outdoor part of your air conditioner were so dirty that the refrigerant couldn't do its job, the rest of your equipment, such as the air handler blower or condenser fan, might be dirty too. The AC repair technician might recommend cleaning the blower or fan so your AC works more efficiently at keeping you cool.

Contact a local AC repair service to learn more.