Have you ever been in the middle of a hot summer day, only to find that your air conditioner is blowing out warm air instead of cold? It can be an incredibly frustrating experience.
But what causes this issue, and how can it be fixed?
So, are you ready to take on the challenge of understanding why your AC is blowing hot air instead of cold? Our team at Diamondback Plumbing has you covered!
Dirty Air Filters
Cause: Over time, air filters can become clogged with dirt and other forms of debris that restricts the airflow to the AC unit, resulting in warm air being circulated through the house instead of cold air. This can be a major inconvenience as well as a potential health hazard due to the buildup of allergens and pollutants in the filters.
Solution: It is important to regularly replace or clean your AC filter to ensure proper airflow. Taking the time to do this will help remove any dirt and debris that has built up over time so that it is not restricting the flow of cooler air into your home.
Additionally, replacing or cleaning air filters on a regular basis can extend the life of an HVAC system by helping it run more efficiently. Regularly changing out dirty filters can also improve indoor air quality by reducing allergens and other contaminants in your home.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Cause: If you’ve been wondering, “why is my AC blowing hot air?”, it could be related to a lack of refrigerant.
Low refrigerant levels in an AC unit can cause it to freeze over and not produce cold enough temperatures when blowing out air into a room. This could be due to leaks or improper installation resulting in inadequate insulation or ductwork design, which decreases cooling efficiency and leads to high energy bills.
Solution: Have a professional technician inspect the system for any leaks that may be causing this issue and repair them as needed before adding more refrigerant.
Without fixing these leaks first, simply adding new refrigerants will only result in further costs down the line due to wasted materials and energy if there are still problems with your HVAC system’s insulation or ductwork design, which could be causing cooling issues.
Incorrect Thermostat Settings
Cause: If your AC is blowing hot air, you may have set your thermostat too low – such as setting it below 70 degrees Fahrenheit — then your AC will struggle to keep up with the demands placed on it – leading to hot air being released from its vents instead of cool temperatures.
This is because your AC unit needs adequate time between cycles in order for its motor components to properly cool down so they don’t overheat while running continuously at full capacity all day long; otherwise, they will shut down and stop providing cooling completely until they have been given time off from their workload.
Solution: Adjust your thermostat setting so that it is higher than what you would typically use during summer months (e.g., 76 degrees Fahrenheit).
Doing this should allow your AC unit some breathing room while keeping your home comfortable without putting too much strain on its motor components from running all day long at total capacity, trying to maintain lower temperatures than necessary for comfort levels indoors during hot summer days outdoors.
Additionally, check for any faulty wiring, as this can cause incorrect readings on a thermostat and lead to inefficient operation of an AC unit.
On the other hand, if your thermostat is blowing hot air on cold, you should contact a professional HVAC company, like Diamondback.
Frozen Coils
Cause: When too much dirt accumulates on coils over time, they may freeze up which prevents the unit from working properly. This can cause the air coming through to be much warmer than what is set on your thermostat.
Solution: Clean off the coils with a soft brush and make sure there isn’t any debris blocking them. If they are still frozen, then you may need to call an AC technician for professional assistance.
Tripped Breaker
Cause: When your central air blows warm air, it may be due to a tripped breaker. A tripped breaker is when the circuit breaker that supplies power to an AC unit has been activated, resulting in a shut-off of electricity and, thus, warm air being released from its vents instead of cold temperatures. This usually occurs due to an overloaded circuit, short-circuiting of wires or other electrical faults.
Solution: To figure out why warm air is blowing from your AC, check for any signs of a short circuit by visual inspection and testing the components before resetting the breaker. Ensure all connections are secure and safe before returning power to the unit.
Clogged Line
Cause: A clogged condensate line or drain can prevent proper drainage of hot air out of an AC unit, leading to warm air circulating around a home or office space where it is installed. This blockage is often caused by dust, dirt and debris buildup over time which hinder efficient operation and cooling performance.
Solution: You should take a moment to clear obstructions in the line using a vacuum cleaner or snake tool. Doing this will ensure proper drainage once again. Regular maintenance should also be conducted on these components to reduce the risk of clogging in the future.
Broken Compressor
Cause: The compressor is a critical component within an AC system as it works by compressing refrigerant, which helps pull heat energy out from its lines to cool air entering through its vents. When broken down or damaged, however, this process may be hindered, resulting in warm air produced instead of cooler temperatures when blowing through its outlets.
Solution: Damaged compressors should be inspected and replaced as needed by a qualified HVAC technician in order to restore normal temperature levels within a home’s environment once more for improved comfort levels during hot days and nights.
AC Blowing Hot Air? Common Causes and Solutions — Conclusion
At Diamondback, we strive to provide our customers with the highest quality service and solutions for all their HVAC needs. Whether you need to install a new AC unit or repair your current model, we’re here to help.
Our team of experts are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal comfort levels in your home or office space by offering reliable repairs, maintenance, and installations that can help keep your AC system running smoothly year-round. For more information on how we can assist you with any cooling issues, contact us today!
We look forward to hearing from you soon!