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Are you experiencing an issue with your home’s central air system?
AC-blowing hot air and heat pump systems can be pretty intimidating on the surface, but they are actually quite easy to comprehend.
Once you understand what is happening in the system, then you can better understand why it is happening and handle it yourself. Keep reading to learn more.
Check Your Thermostat Settings
Checking your thermostat settings is one of the first troubleshooting steps if your ac blowing warm air. Because room temperature and thermostat settings are among the primary factors that regulate the heater or air conditioner, a setting that is too low or too high will determine the output of air your air conditioner provides.
If the temperature setting is too high, the air conditioner will be running all the time and not go into cooling mode, thereby blowing hot air.
Instead of running your AC with the incorrect temperature setting, reset the thermostat to a more appropriate temperature and observe if it leads to the desired cooling effect. If not, additional troubleshooting may be required.
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Check Your Filter and Vents
ACs can stop cooling properly when their filters and vents are blocked. Clogged or dirty air filters reduce the amount of air that is pushed through the system.
This can cause air to become stagnant, allowing hot air to start blowing out of the AC instead of cool air. Meanwhile, blocked air vents can also prevent air from circulating properly and can cause hot air to start blowing as well.
To ensure that your AC is working properly, you should check your filter and vents regularly for clogs and blockages. This will help ensure that cool air can be pushed through the system and, thus, the AC won’t be blowing hot air.
The Refrigerant is Leaking
A leaking refrigerant is often the cause of an air conditioning unit blowing hot air instead of cool air. Refrigerants are necessary to get the air of an air conditioning unit cold, and when they leak out it can cause a large drop in pressure in the system. This pressure drop makes it so the AC unit can’t do its job and is instead blowing hot air.
To fix this you will need to find where the refrigerant is leaking and repair that part. This can be done by having a certified AC service technician inspect the condenser and check for holes, cracks, or other evidence of a refrigerant leak. Once the problem is diagnosed and fixed, your air conditioner will be able to cool again.
Clean Your Condenser Coils
When your AC unit is blowing hot air, the likely cause is dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils help the unit absorb heat and cool the air, and if they accumulate too much dirt and dust, airflow is significantly reduced. This can cause the compressor to overheat and the air coming from the unit to be warm or hot.
To reduce the likelihood of this happening, it’s important to clean the condenser coils every 3-4 months or as needed. Cleaning them involves removing any loose dirt and debris on the outside, brushing off the fins, and vacuuming the coils. Taking this simple step on a regular basis will ensure your unit is running efficiently and your air is always cool.
AC Systems With Low Pressure May Blow Warm Air
When the pressure within an AC system is low, the evaporator coil in the system is not able to generate enough cool air to maintain its temperature. This is because the compressor is not pumping enough refrigerant through the evaporator coil.
Low pressure also prevents the outdoor condenser coils from working efficiently. This can cause the air flowing through the system to be warm or hot. To prevent this from happening, the pressure within the system needs to be maintained.
This can be done by checking the refrigerant levels, changing out any damaged components, or having your AC system professionally checked. Making sure the pressure is maintained will help ensure that your AC system is able to effectively cool the air passing through it.
Malfunctioning Compressor
Though multiple factors can cause an air conditioner to blow hot air, a malfunctioning compressor is a common culprit. A compressor is the core component of the AC unit, and it works by compressing the refrigerant.
This allows the refrigerant to communicate rapidly between the evaporator and the condenser coil, thus producing cool air. If the compressor malfunctions, what would normally be a cold cycle is instead a hot cycle.
If a malfunctioning compressor is an underlying issue, it is not a cost-effective repair, and replacement is recommended. A malfunctioning compressor can cause further problems, like a frozen evaporator coil, leaks, and higher energy costs due to extra strain.
Duct Leaks
When it comes to AC companies, duct leaks can be one of the biggest culprits behind why your AC is blowing hot air. Duct leaks are caused by a few different factors, including improper duct construction or damage from animals or other environmental factors.
Not only do duct leaks cause hot air to escape from the inside of the home and into the outside, but it also causes the AC unit to run even harder than necessary, causing increased energy costs.
Duct leaks also decrease the efficiency of the AC system, and the home environment can become more humid and stagnant. If you suspect your AC is blowing hot air because of a duct leak, it is important to contact a professional to get it checked out as soon as possible. Ignoring a duct leak can cause more damage and increase repair expenses.
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Learn Why an AC Blowing Hot Air
In conclusion, troubleshooting AC blowing hot air coming from your AC unit can be a tricky task at times. It could be a thermostat issue, a refrigerant issue, or a defective blower motor.
If you find that you need help diagnosing these issues, contact a local HVAC professional to ensure the problem is resolved rapidly and safely. Did you find this article helpful? Check out the rest of our blog for more!
