Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

You might not notice right away when your air conditioner isn’t performing as it should be, but as soon as it starts blowing out hot air, it can disrupt your lifestyle and create an uncomfortable atmosphere. However, that still makes you wonder, why is my air conditioner blowing hot air? Well, there are many common reasons, as well as a few unique ones, that can be causing this problem. Here are a few of those causes, as well as a few ways to prevent this from happening in the future.

Common Causes for Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air 

Many people don’t realize their AC unit isn’t working in prime condition until the hot summer months are upon them. However, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the problem and just push through until the colder weather. Here are a few of the most common reasons for an air conditioning unit that isn’t blowing cold air:

• The thermostat isn’t working properly or isn’t on the correct setting. In some cases, this can feel like wondering why your toaster isn’t working only to discover it isn’t plugged in. Check to make sure your settings are correct and that you don’t just have the fan on. There may be something a little more technical involved, and you’ll need a pro to diagnose and correct the problem.
• The airflow is restricted. If you haven’t had your annual maintenance done on your air conditioner in some time, then you may have dirty coils that can restrict air flow. Also, dirty filters can cause this problem because of the build up.
• The refrigerant is low or leaking. Because refrigerant absorbs heat, when your AC isn’t working properly, you’ll get hot air instead of cool air coming through.
• No electricity is getting to the outside unit. The inside elements of most air conditioners will continue to push air through even if the outside isn’t getting the electricity it needs. Check for breakers that have been tripped to see if this is the problem.
• The outside of the unit is dirty or covered with debris. The more buildup you have around your unit, the better the chances are that you’re going to come across a problem in the future, like it blowing hot air instead of cold air.

As we said before, these are just a few of the most common causes. There may be other reasons why your air conditioner is blowing hot air. To get to the root of the problem, call in the professionals to diagnose your problem and get your unit working in prime condition.

How to Prevent Hot Air from Blowing Out of Your AC Unit

The best way to prevent hot air from coming out of your AC unit (as well as many other problems) is to change and clean your filters on a regular basis, as well as keep up the annual service calls from a professional technician. Also, pay attention to the inside and outside of your unit. A little routine care will go a long way!