There’s nothing quite as frustrating as turning on your air conditioner during a hot day, only to feel warm air blowing from the vents. An air conditioner is designed to cool your home. And create a comfortable environment, so when it malfunctions, the discomfort is immediate. If you’ve ever wondered why your air conditioner is blowing warm air, you’re not alone. This issue is common, and fortunately, most of the causes are easy to identify and fix. To address the problem quickly, it’s important to repair air conditioning systems as soon as signs of malfunction appear.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the principal motives your air conditioner might be blowing heat air, how you can troubleshoot the hassle, and when it’s time to call in an expert. Understanding those issues will help you maintain your AC unit and save you further problems.
Thermostat Settings: A Simple but Common Issue
Before diving into extra complex troubles, it’s crucial to test the most effective viable purpose: your thermostat settings. It may also seem apparent, however often, the trouble of heated air is only a result of incorrect thermostat configuration.
- Thermostat Set to Heat Mode: Sometimes, the thermostat can also by chance be set to “Heat” mode in preference to “Cool.” This can take place after a power outage, seasonal modifications, or simply using pressing the incorrect button. Make sure your thermostat is in “Cool” mode.
- Fan Settings: Check whether the fan is about to “On” rather than “Auto.” If the fan is ready to “On,” it’s going to blow air continuously, even when the air conditioner isn’t cooling. In this example, the air popping out maybe heat. Set the fan to “Auto” so that it runs while the AC is actively cooling.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
A clogged air filter out is one of the most unusual causes of an air conditioner blowing heat air. Over time, dust, dirt, and particles accumulate inside the clear-out, limiting airflow and making it tougher for your AC to chill your house correctly.
- Restricted Airflow: When the airflow is restrained, the air that does pass through the gadget does not get cooled well, resulting in heat air. Regularly checking and changing your air filters can save you this difficulty. Ideally, filters should be modified every 1-3 months, depending on the sort of filter out and the environment.
- Efficiency Impact: Not most effective do grimy air filters motivate heat air, however, they can also lessen the performance of your system, leading to better energy payments and put on for your unit.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is the substance liable for cooling the air in your AC unit. If your AC is low on refrigerant, it’ll conflict to chill the air, and you can feel heat air as a substitute.
- Leaks: Low refrigerant is often a sign of a leak within the device. Over time, the refrigerant will get away from the system, causing a full-size drop in cooling energy. This is a severe trouble that calls for expert interest because including refrigerant without solving the leak is only a transient answer.
- Symptoms of Low Refrigerant: In addition to warm air, different symptoms of low refrigerant include a hissing sound close to the AC unit, ice buildup at the refrigerant strains. And a lack of ability to chill the residence efficiently even if the thermostat is ready efficiently.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils are a key aspect of your air conditioning machine. They absorb warmth from the air inner your private home. This allows the cooled air to circulate back into your living space. If these coils freeze, they cannot absorb heat effectively, mainly due to warm air blowing through the vents.
- Causes of Frozen Coils: Frozen evaporator coils are often due to inadequate airflow. This is because of grimy air filters, blocked vents, or refrigerant issues. Low refrigerant levels can motivate the coils to get too bloodless, leading to condensation and ultimately freezing.
- Defrosting: If you observe that your evaporator coils are frozen, turn off your air conditioner and allow the coils to thaw. Once they’re defrosted, test for airflow restrictions or refrigerant problems. If the problem persists, it’s time to name an HVAC technician.
Dirty or Blocked Condenser Unit
The condenser unit, positioned outside your house, is answerable for releasing the heat absorbed via the evaporator coils. If the condenser is grimy or blocked using particles, it can’t release the heat efficaciously, inflicting the whole machine blow heat air.
- Blocked Condenser Fins: Leaves, dust, and debris can block the condenser fins, lowering their potential to dissipate warmness. Cleaning the condenser unit often can assist save you this trouble.
- Condenser Fan Malfunction: If the fan inside the outside unit isn’t running correctly, the heat received is released efficaciously, leading to terrible cooling overall performance. In this situation, you’ll need to check the fan for obstructions or damage and update it if essential.
Electrical Issues
Electrical issues also can prevent your air conditioner from functioning correctly. In a few instances, the device may also lose energy to certain components, which include the compressor, which is responsible for cooling the air.
- Tripped Breakers: If the circuit breaker on your AC unit journeys, it can cut power to vital additives, just like the compressor or condenser fan, causing the unit to blow heat air. Check your circuit breaker panel and reset any tripped breakers.
- Capacitor Issues: The capacitor is liable for presenting the energy surge that starts offevolved the compressor. If the capacitor is broken or failing, the compressor may not turn on, leading to warm air. Replacing the capacitor is an exceptionally simple restoration but ought to be finished by an expert.
Faulty Compressor
The compressor is the coronary heart of your aircon gadget, and if it fails, the entire cooling manner stops. The compressor is responsible for circulating the refrigerant through the system. Also, preserves the proper stress degrees to chill the air.
- Symptoms of a Faulty Compressor: If your compressor is faulty, your AC will likely blow warm air, and you may hear peculiar noises like clunking or grinding from the out-of-door unit. A compressor failure is a sizable problem and normally requires expert restoration or an alternative.
- Repair vs. Replacement: Depending on the age of your device, a defective compressor may additionally warrant either a repair or a complete AC unit alternative. It’s an excellent concept to discuss with an HVAC professional to determine the high-quality direction of movement.
Ductwork Issues
Sometimes the difficulty isn’t together with your AC unit itself but with the ductwork that provides cool air all through your own home. Leaky or poorly insulated ducts can permit heat air from your attic or walls to combine with the cool air out of your AC, decreasing its effectiveness.
- Duct Leaks: Holes, cracks, or poorly sealed joints in the ductwork can permit conditioned air to escape and unconditioned air to go into. This affects heat air being blown into your property.
- Insulation: Inadequate insulation around the ductwork also can result in heat air. Insulating your ducts can assist hold the cool air temperature because it travels via your private home.
Conclusion
An air conditioner blowing warm air is an irritating problem, especially at some point in the freshest months of the year. However, by using the know-how of the common reasons, along with thermostat settings, grimy air filters, low refrigerant, frozen coils, and ductwork problems, you can troubleshoot the hassle and take precise steps to resolve it. While a few troubles may be constant with a simple clear-out alternate or thermostat adjustment, more complex problems, like a refrigerant leak or a defective compressor, require the knowledge of a professional HVAC technician.
Regular maintaince, along with cleansing the condenser unit, checking refrigerant stages, and changing air filters, can help save you lots of those troubles and maintain your air conditioner walking correctly during the summertime. If you discover that your AC keeps blowing heat air despite your efforts, don’t hesitate to call in a professional to diagnose and repair the hassle, ensuring your home stays cool and comfortable.