If you’re a homeowner in St. Louis, MO, an efficient air conditioning system is absolutely essential to your comfort during the hot summer months. You want your unit to work the moment temperatures start getting warm. If you find your AC system is blowing hot air instead of cold, you need to discover the cause of the issue and get it repaired as soon as possible. Here are some of the main causes and fixes when an AC unit is blowing hot air.
Check the thermostat
The thermostat is the first thing you should check when you’re investigating the causes of an AC unit blowing hot air in your St. Louis, MO home. It’s a good idea to replace the batteries to make sure the thermostat is functioning correctly. You should also make sure that the switch is set to “cool” instead of “heat” and see if cold air starts to blow from the vents.
Check the electrical panel
After you’ve made sure the thermostat is working correctly, checking the circuit breaker is the next step in discovering the causes of an AC unit blowing hot air. Your air conditioning unit requires plenty of power to run correctly, and circuit breakers shut off automatically as a safety precaution if the demand for power is too high. Look for a tripped breaker, then flip the breaker completely off and back on. If you see that a blown fuse is the culprit, replace it and see if the air conditioner starts blowing cool air.
Check the air filters
If the thermostat or circuit breaker isn’t causing the problem with your air conditioning system, you likely need the help of an expert HVAC technician to diagnose the issue. One of the first things they’ll check is the air filter. If the filter is dirty, cool air isn’t able to move freely, putting too much strain on the air conditioner and causing it to blow hot air. Your technician will replace the filter and see if the issue is resolved.
Check for refrigerant leaks
If refrigerant escapes your system via a leak, the system can’t complete cooling cycles and will blow warm air. Only a licensed HVAC technician who’s certified in refrigerant handling can fix this problem, and it can be key to ensuring your system blows cool air all throughout the summer months.
Check the evaporator coils
Your technician will also check for frozen evaporator coils. Poor airflow, refrigerant leaks or other issues can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Your technician will make any necessary repairs that are needed to thaw the coils.
It often takes the expertise of a trained technician to discover the causes and necessary fixes when an AC unit is blowing hot air. Since summers can get hot in St. Louis, MO, it’s important to get the issue resolved before temperatures get too hot. Contact the team at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling to get your air conditioning system blowing cool air once again in time for summer.
The bad news is that your air conditioner won’t last forever. The good news is that air conditioners typically don’t just up and quit out of nowhere. Instead, they present a variety of signs that they’re about to stop working.
This post from your trusty HVAC experts will cover a few of the signs your AC unit is declining in St. Louis, MO and teach you how to get the most out of your system:
- The AC unit isn’t cooling: The first sign that your AC is declining is if it gets less effective at cooling your home. This issue may start small, but it’ll get worse and worse as time goes on. If you wait too long to have it replaced, your unit won’t cool your house at all.
- Reduced airflow: In addition to being less effective at cooling your house, you may also notice weak airflow coming from the vents. This reduced airflow may just be caused by dirty air filters, but it might also be an issue with the blower. A technician may be able to repair or replace the blower, but it might be a better idea to replace the unit if it’s old.
- Strange noises: Your air conditioner will never be completely silent while it’s running, but it shouldn’t make any sudden banging or rattling noises. These startling sounds often indicate that a part has become loose or is starting to fall apart. Call an HVAC pro to inspect the system and diagnose the cause of the strange sounds.
- Bad smells: Older or improperly maintained ACs might produce strange smells during operation. An electrical burning smell could indicate that a part is starting to wear out. If there’s a musty smell coming from the vents, you likely have mold growth somewhere in the unit or in the ductwork.
- Higher energy bills: Another one of the leading signs your AC unit is on the decline in St. Louis, MO will be felt each month when your energy bill comes. Systems get less energy efficient as they get old, which leads to sky-high electric bills. Buying an energy-efficient AC isn’t always cheap, but it’ll pay for itself over time with monthly savings.
Ways to prolong your unit’s lifespan
You can get decades of service from your air conditioner by being a proactive homeowner. First and foremost, be sure to schedule yearly maintenance with an HVAC technician. During this springtime service, your technician will clean your unit and repair or replace any parts that are starting to fail.
Along with scheduling maintenance each spring and replacing your air filters every few months, watch your usage. Running the AC on the coldest setting 24/7 is a waste of electricity and puts a lot of undue stress on your system.
Schedule your spring tune-up today!
Judging by the current weather, you won’t need to turn on your air conditioner for a few months. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go ahead and schedule a tune-up! In addition to getting your unit ready for summer, the pros at Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling will identify any signs your AC unit is declining in St. Louis, MO.
One of the most common air conditioning problems people experience in St. Louis, MO is having warm air blow through the vents when they should be getting fresh, cool air flowing through instead. There’s a large number of possible reasons why an air conditioner could be blowing warm air, but today we’ll focus on just a few of the most common.
Thermostat settings
Any time you’re having temperature issues with the air coming from your vents, your first step should be to check the settings on your thermostat. While it might sound ridiculous, there is a possibility that you have the air set to “heat” instead of “cool.” Other settings, such as “auto” or “on,” may simply result in the fan blowing regardless of whether the air conditioner itself is running and cooling the air. This would cause your AC to blow warm air through the vents during the periods of time when the outside unit isn’t operating.
So, simply put, check your settings on your thermostat and make sure you’ve actually set it up to get cool air coming into your home!
Problems with the outdoor unit
There are a couple main components for every air conditioning system, split between the indoors and the outdoors. The indoor unit will feature the fan that blows the air through your home, but it will only operate if the outdoor components are also working properly.
The outdoor unit features the compressor, which compresses the refrigerant that flows through the system. In most cases, if you’re having a problem with the air conditioner blowing warm air, it’s going to mean there’s either a problem with the compressor or that your system is low on refrigerant.
Problems with indoor systems
While most of the time equipment problems will primarily be found in the outdoor unit, there are some issues that can occur with interior components. It is possible that you have a broken or disconnected air return duct that is pulling in air from the outside or the attic without conditioning it. You might have a circuit breaker that was tripped or a fuse that was blown, which has resulted in power to the AC unit being shut off, so check your circuit breaker or fuse panel and make sure it’s actually getting the electricity it needs to maintain power.
Airflow restrictions
Another potential problem could be that there’s something restricting the amount of air that’s going to or from your air conditioner. Restricted airflow can result in the compressor freezing up. Causes of restricted airflow can include a clogged air filter that needs to be replaced, or dirty coils caused by a general lack of maintenance to your air conditioning system. You should make it a point to have your system inspected and maintained each year by an air conditioning technician so it operates as efficiently as possible and you can extend its usable life.
When you need more information about common air conditioning problems and how you can resolve them, an air conditioner maintenance service in St. Louis, MO can help. Contact Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling today!
Are you considering installing central air in your home or place of business? As an AC service in St. Louis, MO, we know that folks are not usually thinking about air conditioning at this time of year, but it is actually a great time to spring for a new air system, because then you’ll be all set when next summer rolls around!
Before investing in AC installation or AC repair in St. Louis, MO, you will probably want to know how much it is going to cost you. There are actually many different factors that could affect the cost of your AC installation. Here is a rundown of eight of those factors:
- System type: Water-cooled systems, split-duct systems, heat pumps, ductless mini splits—there are a lot of system options when it comes to installing central air! Have a discussion with your HVAC contractor about what would work best for your space and budget.
- Size and capacity: Getting the correct size and capacity system for your home or business is crucial, and will save you money in the long run. A system that is too small will have to overwork constantly, while a too-big unit will keep your home cool, but humid.
- Energy efficiency: If you want a system with a strong efficiency rating, it will cost you a bit more upfront. However, the system will eventually pay for itself in the form of lower energy bills.
- Heating: When installing new central AC, it might be a good idea to also replace your heater, as your AC and heater will need to be compatible to keep your home comfortable. This will, of course, make the entire endeavor more expensive.
- Extras: Humidification systems, air purifiers and other “extras” you add to your new central air system will make your home or business even more comfortable. But they will also add to the overall cost of the replacement.
- New or replacement: Are you investing in an entirely new system for your space? Or are you replacing an existing system that has needed AC repair in St. Louis, MO one too many times? A replacement will be cheaper, because you will already have the basic infrastructure for it.
- Zones: Want to keep your living room cool and your bedrooms warm? If so, you will need multiple zones in your central air system. This will cost more, so talk to your AC service in St. Louis, MO about the best option for you.
- Tax break: Did you know that you could get a tax break for investing in a new central air system for your commercial space? If you install the system before the end of 2018, you will qualify for one heck of a deal—in fact, you might be able to write off the entire cost on your 2018 tax return!
Are you in the market for AC service in St. Louis, MO? If so, please feel free to get in touch with Ashley Brothers Heating & Cooling anytime! We pride ourselves on offering reasonable rates and exceptional service.
