Nothing compares to the feeling of being able to rest indoors on a hot day while enjoying the luxury of your air conditioner. An air conditioner can be beneficial during summer. For instance, it can help you and your family have a restful sleep during hot summer nights.
When your AC works properly, you don’t need to open your doors and windows to cool your home down. With an AC, you can keep all the doors and windows closed, which reduces the number of bugs and insects entering your home. Also, a functional air conditioner during summer can minimize the risk of breathing problems by filtering dust particles, pollens, and other allergens in the air.
For these reasons, an AC in good working condition is essential during summer. However, you may occasionally experience hot or warm air flowing from the air ducts.
Everyone understands that the heat of spring and summer is a serious problem. The air conditioner is essential during these times, so it is no wonder that it breaks down from time to time. On a really hot day, the worst scenario imaginable is feeling warm air coming out of the air conditioner.
If you encounter this problem, you may wonder what could be potentially wrong with your AC. We make this easier by detailing below the 6 possible reasons for your air conditioner blowing hot air.
1. Issues with Thermostat
The first item you should check is the thermostat, which may seem obvious. If your air conditioner is blowing hot air, it’s possible that the thermostat was set to “heat” by mistake. If this is the case, it’s an easy repair you can do on your own. Simply return the thermostat to “cool” and check whether the air conditioner starts to blow cool air once again.
You should also double-check that the batteries are charged and that the temperature is not too high. Replace the batteries if they’re worn out.
2. Electrical Issues
If the outside unit loses power, it may create issues within the vent. The wisest decision here is to inspect the emergency shutoff switch and the circuit breaker. However, keep in mind that if you’re constantly checking the circuit breaker, you could be dealing with a significant electrical issue.
Unless you’re an expert, you probably need a reliable technician specializing in air conditioning repair. Given their skills and expertise, they can inspect your system and determine the root cause of the problems. Once it’s identified, they’ll come up with the best solution to address the problem and restore your AC’s good working condition.
However, if you’re hiring a technician for the first time, it’s essential to take some considerations to ensure you find the right one. For instance, you should check your prospect’s experience and reputation to know if they can handle the job successfully. This way, you can ensure your AC is in safe hands.
3. Compressor Failure
The compressor distributes the refrigerant throughout your HVAC system like a heart. Every cycle, low-pressure gas transforms into high-pressure gas. The compressor consumes the most electricity because it is such an important component of your central AC. Every year, an old compressor consumes more and more electricity. The old compressor may ultimately trip your breaker by drawing too much power, causing your air conditioner to blow hot air.
A grounded compressor is a worst-case scenario. This indicates that some of the motor’s wire has been damaged, resulting in a short. If this is the case, you’ll need to replace the compressor or the whole outdoor air conditioning unit.
4. Air Filter and Evaporator Coil Problems
A contaminated air filter can contribute to a dirty evaporator coil, despite air filters having little to do with air temperature. There could be a lack of sufficient free airflow to allow efficient cooling operation if the evaporator coil becomes blocked with dust and debris.
Debris buildup from a filthy air filter can create frozen evaporator coils. Although you may believe that “frozen” equals “cold,” the frozen coils obstruct the flow of cool air, causing hot air to flow from the running engine instead.
5. Issues with the Condenser Fan
The heat from the coil is sent outdoors by this fan in your outdoor unit. Your condenser gets too hot if it is not spinning, and a safety mechanism, typically a large pressure switch, shuts it off to prevent damage to your air conditioner.
When this happens, your coil loses its ability to pull warm air from your home. To put it another way, your condenser fan could be the cause of your AC not blowing cold air. The most likely cause is a burnt-out fan motor from normal wear and tear. Sometimes the simplest solution is to replace the entire outside unit.
It is also possible that the fan may be damaged. Rotation can be halted by debris, damaged bearings, and rust, causing your AC to blow hot air.
6. Low or Leaking Refrigerant
Low refrigerant is a common cause of AC systems blowing hot air, but it is a problem that cannot be fixed with home remedies if the problem persists after the technician recharges the system. In that case, professional assistance is unquestionably required to identify and resolve this issue.
If the refrigerant isn’t leaking, the air ducts might be. Because your ducts are likely hidden in your basement, attic, or walls, expert assistance will be required to identify the source of the problem and fix it.
When the problem is caused by corrosion or wear and tear, you’ll likely have to replace certain parts and components to fix the issue. But if the damage is too extensive, you may be required to replace the entire air conditioning system with a new one.
Final Word
The hot air inside your home on a hot day outside is a disaster waiting to happen. Keep a sharp eye on your air conditioning unit and remember to give it the time and attention it deserves to avoid this problem in the first place. It will serve you well.
