Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

The temperatures increase with summer, which might be uncomfortable in your house and at work. But your air conditioner is blowing hot air! The same issue confronts Americans in every state and city every summer. That will become clear. What then is the reason of my air conditioner producing hot air? Let us explore the typical reasons and their solutions.

why is my ac blowing hot air — Image credit: @AndreyPopov

How Does An AC Work?

The interior evaporator coils of your home allow the refrigerant to absorb warm air. The heat is then released from your house by being pumped outside to the condenser coils. Repeat to get a constant flow of dehumidified, chilled air coming through your vents.

10 Reasons Why Your AC Blowing Warm Air

Low Refrigerant

If there is a leak in your system, the refrigerant level will drop—typically from a fitting, malfunctioning valve, or evaporator coil—and your air conditioner won’t work as well.

Signs of low refrigerant:

Bubbles or hisses.
Ice formation on the lines carrying refrigerant.
An obvious fall in cooling efficiency.

Clogged Air Filters

The purpose of the air filter in your air conditioner is to prevent airborne particles such dust and pollen from getting into the system. It can, however, also become choked with these stuff and dirt. Airflow is limited and the air conditioner cannot cool the air as it should if the filter is blocked. The air consequently never cools down enough and eventually blows heated air out of the vents.

Wrong Thermostat Setting

Keep the temperature at a reasonable level and the heating system to “Cool”—it goes without saying. Your air conditioner won’t work if the temperature is set to “Heat” or “Fan Only” on the thermometer. Also, it is important to set the temperature low enough that it makes a difference.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are the internal components that draw heat from the air. Lack of enough ventilation might cause air to accumulate around them, reducing their efficiency. The coils will become freeze if this does place. Furthermore, the coils will be unable to chill the air to the required temperature since the refrigerant will not be able to circulate correctly.

Outside Unit Has Lost Power

If the air conditioner won’t turn on, the most obvious thing to check is whether the thermostat is off or if the circuit breaker has blown a fuse. The exterior unit of your air conditioner is in charge of releasing heat to the outdoors. The inside air will remain heated if the outdoor unit has lost power and cannot release the heat appropriately.

Duct Leaks

The ductwork of your air conditioner moves cool air throughout your house. Cool air from your air conditioner won’t remain chilly if there are holes or cracks in your ducting. Leaks can let cool air leave or heated air to mix into the vents.

Return Vents Closed or Blocked

The air in your house is circulated in part by return circulation. Your AC won’t be able to disperse cool air as well if they’re closed or clogged. Hot air problems are a given when furniture or dropped toys block these vents. To get your AC back to working properly, just take out the impediment. Once more open the vents and check that they are clear. You’ll have cool air once more before you know!

Malfunctioning Compressor

Central to any air conditioning system is the compressor, which is in charge of pumping refrigerant. If the compressor’s electrical system fails, you can hear strange clicking or rattling sounds and your air conditioner won’t work. Due to inefficient refrigerant usage, the system will fail to provide sufficient air cooling.

Circuit Breaker

Since air conditioners require a lot of power, they are a common source of circuit breaker trips in homes. The air conditioner stops working properly because the power to chill the air is cut off when the circuit breaker trips. Right now you need to look at the circuit breaker. Resetting it to its default orientation or even changing a blown fuse could be necessary.

Clogged Drains

Condensation removal from your air conditioner is the job of its drain system. Water can backup into the system and harm the evaporator coil if the drain gets clogged. Warm air may therefore escape the vents. The degree of the issue may determine how inefficiently the system runs or perhaps causes it to fail entirely.

Troubleshooting Tips When Your AC is Blowing Warm Air

When your air conditioner starts spewing warm air, it’s tempting to panic. There are, however, a few things you can try on your own before calling a professional.

Check the thermostat.
Verify that it is configured to “cool” and that the temperature is less than that of the room. Should the batteries need to be changed, do so.
Check air filters
Airflow can be restricted by dirty filters; inspect and replace as needed.
Look over the outdoor unit
Make sure the condenser unit is powered up and debris-free. Should the circuit breaker trip, reset it.
Check for obstacles
Verify that every vent and duct is free of obstructions. Remove whatever obstacles.
Listen for odd sounds
Distressing noises can point to problems with the refrigerant lines or compressor. If you hear anything strange, it may be time to give a professional a call.

How Do I Prevent My AC From Blowing Warm Air In The Future?

Here are some suggestions to help prevent your air conditioner from blowing heated air in the future.

Replace your air filter on a regular basis: Every 1-3 months, or more frequently if you have pets or live in dusty conditions.
Plan regular maintenance: Schedule a skilled HVAC expert to service your air conditioning system at least once a year. This will assist guarantee that your system runs efficiently and detect any potential problems early on.
Keep your outdoor unit free of debris: Make certain that your outdoor unit is not clogged with foliage, debris, or other materials.
Keep your indoor unit clean: Dust it on a regular basis to avoid dirt and dust accumulation.
Check your refrigerant level: Have a technician inspect your refrigerant level and refill it as needed.
Check your ducting: Inspect your ductwork for leaks and repair any holes.

Final Thoughts

We’ve looked at the most common reasons why your air conditioner may be spewing hot air and offered some troubleshooting methods. Remember, if you’re not comfortable dealing with these difficulties on your own, it’s always better to call a professional HVAC specialist. By maintaining your air conditioning system, you may enjoy cool, pleasant air all summer!

FAQs

How do I fix my AC from blowing hot air?

Change the air filter. One major cause of warm air coming from your AC unit is a dirty or clogged air filter.
Check the thermostat settings.
Defrost evaporator coils.
Seal leaks in the ductwork.
Refrigerant leak.
Replace an aging system.

Why is my AC blowing hot air instead of cold?

If your air conditioner is blowing out warm air, your unit’s refrigerant levels might be low. This usually indicates a refrigerant leak in your system!

Should I turn off the AC if it is blowing warm air?

If the refrigerant levels are low, it cannot fully expand; therefore, it cannot create enough cool air. If you notice that the vents are blowing warm air, turn off the AC immediately because the coil will only continue to get warmer as the fan blows.

Why is my AC not blowing cold?

There are many reasons your AC might not be cooling your home properly. The solution could be as easy as flipping a switch on your thermostat, cleaning a dirty air filter, or clearing debris away from your outdoor unit. There are also more complex problems that may need the help of a professional.

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling the house?

If your air conditioner is running, but not lowering temperatures inside, one issue could be a blocked or clogged condenser coil. When operating correctly, the condenser fan draws air into the outdoor unit through the condenser coil to pull heat energy out of your home.