Have you just had that awful experience of walking into your home to seek relief from the scorching heat only to find your AC blowing hot air? No one wants to be there. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind this frustrating issue and provide solutions to get your air conditioner back to blowing the cool air you expect. So, if you’ve encountered this problem, read on to discover what might be causing it and how to resolve it promptly.
Reasons Your AC is Blowing Hot Air
Before you call for professional help with your air conditioner, check that these are not the cause of your AC blowing hot air.
The thermostat is set wrong.
Your AC might be blowing hot air because the thermostat settings are wrong. Your thermostat should be set to the ‘ON’ mode instead of ‘AUTO.’ When it’s set to “AUTO,” your AC unit will run constantly, even when the cooling cycle is over. Setting it to the “ON” position prevents your air conditioning unit from continuously blowing air through the vents, regardless of whether it’s cool or warm. This way,’ it will only circulate cool air as needed to maintain your desired temperature.
The breakers were tripped.
Your air conditioner has two breaker switches: one for the inside unit and one for the outside unit. If the outside unit’s breaker has tripped, you may notice that there’s no cold air, but you’ll still feel air blowing through your home. This happens because the inside unit’s breaker hasn’t been tripped off, so it continues to circulate air as it should. However, since the outside unit is not functioning properly, the air being circulated is warm instead of cool. Check both breaker switches and reset them if necessary.
*Keep in mind that your breakers are there to protect you in cases of electrical current overload. They could have tripped because your AC is damaged or malfunctioning. This could lead to a serious problem. It’s best to get professional assistance if you notice your breakers have tripped without any apparent cause.
The AC filter is dirty.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to keep your air filters clean! Dirty or clogged air filters can cause a lot of problems! These filters remove dust, dirt, and other pollutants from the air before it’s blown throughout your home. When they get too dirty or clogged, they restrict your unit’s airflow. The result is what feels like warm air blowing through your home. Keep your filters clean and change them regularly.
The refrigerant is low.
Another reason your AC could be blowing hot air is because the refrigerant is low. Although this doesn’t happen to every air conditioner, it is a problem that happens more often than you’d think. Your refrigerant line should be permanently sealed and thus your refrigerant should never be able to “run low.” But leaks happen. If your refrigerant is indeed running low, call Team Harding as soon as possible for repair so the refrigerant doesn’t damage your unit.
Something else is wrong.
If none of the above seem to be the cause of your AC blowing hot air, something else might be wrong. It could be that it’s in desperate need of maintenance and cleaning. After all, keeping your unit clean and having it checked over by a technician is an absolute necessity to keep it running properly.
Maintenance is a Must
Dirt, grime and any other obstructions can block airflow and even block your unit from releasing the hot air outside of your home like it’s supposed to. This can force it to break down and work inefficiently, so maintenance is a must. To prevent your AC from malfunctioning, blowing hot air, and breaking down unexpectedly, always be sure to schedule routine maintenance. If it’s been a while, call for service ASAP.
Is your AC blowing hot air?
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more tips and to see our promos!
Team Harding has been Ottawa’s leading home comfort specialist since 1994. We are a family-owned and operated local business and all of our installers and technicians are fully licensed.
