We get a lot of questions when an air conditioner starts sending lukewarm air through the vents of a home. It can be quite shocking for a homeowner that is otherwise expecting their AC to send cool air their way. Why does this happen sometimes? Is it grounds to call for AC repairs?
Well, the short answer is yes, lukewarm air is a good sign that you require air conditioning repair in Wayne, NJ. But for homeowners that want some better answers, we’ve got you covered. This blog post will explore why air conditioners can malfunction this way, and what actually is going on under the hood of your unit.
At any time throughout this blog post, feel free to call our team and schedule an appointment. Only a professional HVAC technician has the training and expertise required to fix this kind of issue.
“Why Is Lukewarm Air Coming From My Vents?”
This is a tricky question, and the truth is that there can be multiple reasons for this one problem. For instance, your air conditioner could be dealing with a refrigerant leak, and the sheer amount of cooling it needs to do just can’t be done with the amount of refrigerant left in the system. This requires professional attention.
Another problem that could be contributing to the lukewarm air coming from your vents, is the fact that your AC is just set lower than what it actually can achieve. 70 degrees is going to feel lukewarm when you’re setting the temperature to 60 on the thermostat, but if the temperature outdoors is reaching 90, then your AC will never reach 60 degrees no matter what. This is what we call the “temperature differential,” and it’s something we’ll go into detail about down below.
“Does My AC Have Enough Refrigerant?”
When dealing with a refrigerant leak, it’s important to remember that this kind of problem can be expressed in many different ways. Your AC could be running up the energy bill because it’s working twice as hard to do the same job. Or, your AC could be making a bubbling or hissing sound as a result of refrigerant leaking out of the unit.
One of the ways that your AC can express a refrigerant leak is with lukewarm air coming from the vents. The system just doesn’t have the required refrigerant to cool your air properly, but the blower fan is still going to send that semi-cooled air into your home. Get this problem addressed by a professional to avoid further complications.
“Am I Setting the Thermostat Too Low?”
If temperatures are extremely hot outdoors, like above 90, then you need to be moderate in how you set your thermostat. An air conditioner won’t realistically be able to cool your home down 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. It might feel like lukewarm air is coming from your vents, but in actuality, it’s just the lowest temperature that your air conditioner can possibly make.
If you’re uncomfortable or reeling from the ineffectiveness of your AC, then call us for help. Your system might need replacement or you might need to find a new type of system to help cool your home down more thoroughly.
Call MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. to schedule an AC repair today.