There’s nothing more frustrating than lowering your thermostat on a hot Arizona afternoon only to realize your air conditioner is blowing warm air. When it’s 110° outside in Phoenix, a working AC isn’t just a luxury, its a need.
Unfortunately, this is a common situation for homeowners in the Phoenix area. Air conditioners here run much harder than in most parts of the country, especially during the long summer months. Because of that, the components naturally wear out over time.
The good news is that sometimes the issue is something simple. Before calling for AC repair in Phoenix, there are a few things you can quickly check yourself.
There are a several issues that could cause your AC to blow warm air from the supply vents. In Phoenix, these problems often include thermostat issues, refrigerant problems, electrical & mechanical failures or airflow restrictions. Try to troubleshoot these issues below on your own before calling an HVAC Contractor.
Sometimes the issue can be as simple as incorrect thermostat settings. Make sure your thermostat is set to “cool” mode and not “fan”. Also ensure that your set point temperature is lower then the room temperature. Also double check to see if you have batteries in the back. You can also pull the thermostat off the wall and ensure that the wires are all connected in the proper spots. This article goes over the proper wiring in depth, https://www.qwik.com/education/knowledgebase/thermostatic-wiring/
If your thermostat is calling for cooling, your outdoor condenser unit should also be running. The outdoor unit is responsible for removing heat from your home, so if it isn’t operating, the system will only blow warm air through the vents.
Step outside and take a quick look at your AC unit. Check if the fan on top of the condenser is spinning and listen for the sound of the system running. If the outdoor unit is not running at all, the problem is often related to an electrical component such as a capacitor or contactor. These parts help start and power the compressor and fan motor.
Diagnosing electrical components requires specialized tools and working around 240-volt power, which can be dangerous without proper training.
Sometimes the indoor blower will still run while the outdoor unit loses its power. Open your electrical panel and look for the breaker named AC, Condenser, Air Conditioner, Heat Pump etc. If it has tripped, reset it and see if the outdoor unit kicks in. If you hear funny noises, or the unit trips again, its best to leave it off..
If you notice ice forming on the refrigerant lines or near the outdoor unit, it usually indicates a problem with airflow or refrigerant levels. This can happen when: Airflow is restricted by a dirty filter or blocked coil, the system is low on refrigerant, the evaporator coil becomes too cold and begins to freeze.
If you see ice on the lines, turn the system off and allow the ice to completely melt before running the air conditioner again. Continuing to run the system while it’s frozen can cause additional damage. Once the system has thawed, the underlying issue will still need to be diagnosed. Checking or refrigerant levels via system pressures require specialized tools and EPA 608 Certification in the United States.
If you’ve worked through the checks above and your AC is still blowing warm air, the issue may involve something deeper in the system such as low refrigerant, a failing compressor, or an electrical component that is no longer operating properly. Because air conditioners in the Phoenix area operate under extreme heat for much of the year, small problems can sometimes turn into larger cooling issues if they are left unresolved. Having the system inspected early can help identify the root cause and prevent additional strain on major components.
A licensed HVAC technician can perform a full inspection of the system, including checking refrigerant pressures, testing electrical components such as capacitors and contactors, and verifying proper airflow through the equipment.
If you’ve tried the steps above and your air conditioner is still blowing warm air, our team is always happy to take a look and help diagnose the issue. We work with homeowners throughout the Phoenix area and can help determine what’s preventing the system from cooling properly so you can get your home comfortable again as quickly as possible. Book your service below!.