It’s the last thing you want to happen amid a streak of hot days in Miami: your AC is suddenly blowing warm air.

There are several reasons your AC unit might be blowing warm air. Because your AC unit is comprised of two parts, an indoor unit (including the fan that blows cool air into your home) and an outdoor condensing unit, you’ll need to check a few places to find a culprit.

Common causes of warm air from your AC

Sometimes, a homeowner can fix a simple issue that causes the AC unit to blow warm air. Many other times, however, you’ll need a professional to diagnose and repair an AC problem. The following causes are common places you can look.

Thermostat settings

Head to your thermostat first. Is it set to heat by mistake? Or, is the fan set to “on”? If the fan is set on, your unit will blow air even if it isn’t being cooled. Setting the fan to “auto” ensures it turns on automatically when the AC has cool air.

Airflow issues

Any restriction to your AC unit’s airflow can cause an issue. First, check out the air filter. If it’s clogged, it will prevent air from reaching your indoor unit, which will hinder your AC unit’s ability to cool your home. Be sure to check the filter monthly, before there’s an issue. Other airflow checkpoints include your ducts. If you can, take a look at your ducts to look for holes or cracks. In many cases, however, these holes or cracks won’t be visible by a homeowner, meaning you’ll want a professional to take a look. Also, have a look at your return vents to be sure they’re not blocked or closed.

Power to the outside unit

The outdoor unit needs the power to ensure it blows cold air. Check your fuse box or circuit breaker: if the outside unit does not have power, the inside unit will still do its job. However, it won’t be blowing cool air; the air will be warm. If the unit’s breaker has tripped, reset it. If it continues to trip, however, don’t continue resetting it. Instead, call a professional.

Condenser coils are dirty

A clean AC unit is a happy AC unit. Your outdoor unit contains the condenser coil, which releases heat outside. Outdoor exposure often means the coils and the rest of the unit could get clogged with dirt, grime, and debris. Any of those blockages could prevent the system from working properly.

Leaking refrigerant

Refrigerant is crucial to your AC unit. This heat transfer liquid flows through your AC unit to help carry warm air and bring cool air in. This process is a closed-loop system, meaning you shouldn’t have to add any refrigerant. That is unless there’s a leak. If you’re losing refrigerant, you’ll also gradually lose the ability to cool air. An HVAC tech should not only refill the refrigerant but also fix the leak.

Other causes

Several other reasons can cause your AC unit to have an issue. For many others, and to be sure you’ve fixed the issue, call a professional HVAC technician.

Fix your AC Unit in Miami

If your AC unit is blowing warm air, call in a licensed HVAC technician to get that cool AC feeling back. The professionals at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Miami can provide fast and effective AC repair. Even better, One Hour Air Miami also can help you safeguard your AC unit through regular maintenance and inspections, meaning you’ll have fewer surprises like warm air from your AC unit. Contact the professional HVAC technicians at One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning of Miami to schedule your service today.