Why Is My AC Blowing Hot Air?

Posted on: 17 November 2020

The main function of an air conditioning unit is to cool down your home, so if the air that is coming out of your vents is hot, then that's a cause for alarm. You most likely have to call and schedule an AC repair technician to come by and have a look at it, but there are a few things you can do before making that call to determine what the problem is and possibly even fix it yourself. Below is a list of a few items to check before you contact your HVAC company.

The Thermostat

It sounds silly, but it's surprising how many people call an HVAC company to schedule an AC repair when the problem is as simple as not turning on their thermostat. If it thermostat is on, but it's still not blowing hot air, you may have a problem with the thermostat itself. These little devices have a life expectancy of 7 to 10 years, but can start to malfunction before that, causing the limit switch inside your air conditioning system to not read the correct temperature inside the house. Replacing it with a smart thermostat is easy, but you should contact an HVAC company if you have any questions or concerns first.

The Air Filter

On average, air filters need to be changed every 3 to 6 months to improve the airflow throughout your house. If it's blocked or obstructed, it can choke out your system and cause the motor to burn up, eventually resulting in a full air conditioning replacement. Before that happens though, the restricted airflow inside your system may impede the conversion process from hot air to cold air; without hot air, your air conditioner cannot produce the cold air. Check the air filter to make sure that it's clean, but also go to the outside unit and check for any obstructions that happen to be around the system itself, such as leaves, tree branches, or grass clippings.

The Condenser Coils

Take off the grates on your air conditioning system and look for the condenser coils that are located inside your system. If there's a thick layer of grime or dirt on them, that's most likely the reason why you have hot air instead of cold throughout your house. Condenser coils are responsible for converting the hot air into cold air, so if there is a barrier, that conversion process can't take place. Wipe them down with a rag and your system should start to cool down your house again. If that's not the problem, make sure the refrigerant level is an acceptable point inside your system as well. This is not something you should refill on your own though, because intentionally releasing refrigerant into the air is illegal, and any contact with refrigerant can be dangerous. You should always contact an HVAC company to schedule an air conditioning repair if you feel like refrigerant is the problem. Click here to find out more.

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