It can be extremely frustrating when you try to lower the AC temperature and find your unit only blowing hot or warm air. Not to mention, June to August are Ohio’s hottest and wettest months, with peak heat and humidity. So, if you have found yourself in this unfortunate scenario with your air conditioner not working, you might actually feel like you’re melting.
Jokes aside, we know fixing your air conditioner quickly is crucial. Now, there are several reasons that can cause your AC to blow out hot air instead of cool. So, let’s explore the most common issues with your local Finneytown Heating & Cooling team and learn how to effectively troubleshoot them.
You Can Safely Troubleshoot with the Following Steps:
Inspect the Thermostat
Focus on the thermostat, which is the heart of your HVAC system. If it stops working, your whole system suffers. A broken thermostat messes up communication with your HVAC, messing with your AC’s on and off cycles and its overall function. A lot of HVAC problems actually stem from a faulty thermostat. So, if your air conditioner is acting up, start by checking the thermostat. It might just fix the issue!
- First, ensure the thermostat is on and responsive. You might simply need to replace the batteries if your model uses them.
- Then, check that the thermostat isn’t set to “heat.”
- Make sure the thermostat is set to “auto” instead of “on.”
Inspect the Breaker
Is your AC unit turned on? The breaker switch might have tripped. (If your unit is blowing warm air, this may not apply to you. But it’s still wise to check and make sure it is, in fact, turned on.
To see if this is causing your air conditioner issue, check the circuit breaker and flip it back to the “on” position if it has tripped. If this fixes the problem, great! But remember, if the unit keeps tripping the breaker afterward, there’s probably a deeper issue that needs a professional’s attention.
Inspect the Air Filters
A clogged air filter might not look like a major issue, but if not addressed, it can lead to serious problems. Dirty air filters restrict airflow due to dust and contaminants buildup. This can cause further issues with components such as the motor, fan, or compressor.
Per industry standards, it’s best to change your air filters every 1-3 months, depending on the type of filter you use. Check your air filters to see if they need changing. This might solve your warm air problem. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.
Inspect the Evaporator Coils
This troubleshooting step is directly related to the previous one. If an air filter is clogged, dust or debris can gather on the evaporator coil. When these coils get dirty, they can’t absorb heat properly, which means they won’t cool the air as they should. This restricts the necessary heat exchange for cooling to occur.
To fix this problem, check your evaporator coils. If they look like they could use cleaning, do it gently. For a step-by-step guide on how to clean your evaporator coils correctly, click here.
Inspect a Refrigerant Leak
Just like your car’s air conditioner needs coolant to produce cool air, your home’s air conditioning system does, too. The refrigerant in your AC facilitates the heat exchange, so if it’s low or perhaps there is a leak, your AC will start blowing hot/warm air instead.
If you don’t have HVAC certification, you probably can’t legally get air conditioning refrigerant on your own. It’s better to leave this troubleshooting to a professional. However, you should know the signs to watch out for regarding low or leaking refrigerant:
- If the AC makes bubbling or hissing noises when it’s off
- If there’s no cool air from the vents
- If there’s ice on the evaporator coils
Inspect the Condenser
Finally, let’s focus on your outdoor unit – the condenser. One thing to note is that when the coils of a condenser become overladen with dirt, their efficiency in extracting warm air from your home is restricted. This inefficiency can then result in a decrease in cool airflow.
What do you do if your condenser coils are dirty? First, turn off the power to the unit for safety. Then, wearing gloves, use a water hose to rinse off the debris. Choose a gentle setting on your hose, like “shower” or “flat,” avoiding the “spray” mode. Start washing from the bottom of the condenser, moving slowly across the coils from left to right, one inch at a time. Take your time to avoid damaging the unit. Remember, your HVAC technician can tackle the more intricate parts of the condenser during your next regular maintenance and safety inspection.
Still having problems with your AC blowing hot air? Although you can try to troubleshoot some issues on your own, some problems really need a professional touch. If your air conditioner isn’t working yet, we’re here to help! Our technicians are NATE-certified and have years of experience. We also proudly offer emergency services 24/7, all year round.
Prepare your air conditioning for Ohio’s heat with help from your family. Call Finneytown Heating & Cooling today at (513) 935-0440, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
