Why Is There Only Warm Air Coming From My AC?

Updated January 23, 2024

Although we can still anticipate some cool days with rain ahead throughout the Des Moines, IA area, May is the month when air conditioning systems will start running regularly. If your air conditioning system already received its annual tune-up and inspection, then it should be in excellent shape to handle the season. But what if you start running your cooling system this month and find that system isn’t… cooling? An AC that blows out only warm air isn’t much good to you except as a fan.

Why Your AC Might Be Failing to Send Out Conditioned Air

There are several possibilities behind an air conditioning system that has lost the ability to lower the air temperature. Some are quick changes you can do yourself. Others require the assistance of air conditioning repair experts like ours (and we’re ready 24 hours a day to come to your assistance).

Incorrectly set thermostat

This might sound a bit too on the nose, but we sometimes come to a house for repairs and found the problem was that someone else in the home changed the settings on the thermostat without telling anyone else. It could even be a child playing with the settings. Before you call for repairs, look over the thermostat to double-check the temperature setting (it might be too high) or if the AC is set for “fan only” mode.

Tripped circuit breaker

If the circuit breaker for the indoor unit of your AC trips, you’ll immediately know about it, since the air conditioner won’t come on at all. But if the circuit to the outdoor unit trips, the indoor unit’s fan will still turn on and circulate air—just without any cooling occurring because the outdoor compressor isn’t running. Check the electrical panel and reset any tripped breakers to see if this solves the trouble. If the breaker continues to trip, you have a more serious electrical issue with the AC that requires professional assistance.

Refrigerant leaks

Here is one of the more serious problems. If refrigerant leaks from the AC (and this often occurs in systems around 4 to 5 years old) it will cause the cooling power of the system to drop, sometimes to nothing. Loss of refrigerant puts the compressor in danger of dying, so it must be corrected by professionals ASAP.

There are other possibilities, so if you can’t find out what’s wrong on your own, never hesitate to call our team for help.

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