If you notice that your air conditioner is blowing hot air, there are a few possible scenarios. Air conditioners work by using a refrigerant to remove heat from indoor air. Here are some of the possible causes why this process might fail.
Refrigerant Leak
The most common refrigerant leak is a crack or other break in the tube that carries refrigerant. Leaks can have many causes, such as bad welds, workmanship problems during manufacturing, or excessive vibration. These leaks are very common in older AC units. Most leaks are fixed without replacing the compressor or shutting off power to your AC unit.
All air conditioners have vents that pass through the interior walls of your home into the outside air. This means that you can tell if you have any leaks by observing your vents. If you see tiny beads of moisture coming through the vents when it’s cold outside, a refrigerant leak has occurred.
Thermostat Settings
Temperature settings on your thermostat can cause excess or insufficient cooling. If you have a standard AC, try adjusting the temperature setting up a couple of degrees. If the problem is simply an air conditioner that’s too hot, this will most likely solve it. You should also make sure to check the thermostat’s settings if you’re having an issue with excessive humidity inside your home.
If you’ve checked the settings and they’re correct, you may want to lower the thermostat. Your air conditioner will take longer to cool the interior of your residence. However, it at least shouldn’t be blowing hot air.
Also, check that your vents are not covered. Covered vents can cause your
Clogged Air Filters
Air filters are especially important for air conditioning systems. These filters remove particles such as dust and pollen that otherwise might enter your home. Dirty filters lead to increased energy consumption. They may also cause a component in your AC system to fail and create more problems.
So, it’s important to check your filters regularly. The frequency depends on several factors. Consider the size of your home, the number of residents and pets, and how well maintained your system is.
Your AC may have a built in air filter alert system. The alert systems shut off the airflow until you deal with the filter. If your AC unit doesn’t have this feature, check your owner’s manual to determine how often you should replace the filter. A dirty air filter restricts airflow and reduces the cooling in your system, causing your compressor to work harder.
This will raise your electric bill and make it more difficult for you to keep your home cool. Another good reason to replace your filters regularly is to keep them from becoming a fire hazard.
Duct Leaks
A leaky duct could also be why your air conditioner is blowing hot air. This is a common problem due to factors such as age, wear and tear, or condensation. Holes in your ducts allow moisture to form and spill onto other parts of your HVAC system. The evaporating moisture creates a perfect environment for mold to form, feeding on the moisture and creating more condensation.
Failing Cooling Compressor
If you’re still having a hot air problem, it could be that your cooling compressor needs replacement. The compressor is responsible for cooling the indoor air. The refrigerant constantly passes through this coil, cools, turns into a gas once more, and goes out again.
If your compressor is failing, it will create more work for the rest of your HVAC system. This will in turn cause the temperature in your home to rise.
Cracked Casing
Sometimes, the compressor or coils will have cracks that you can’t detect until it’s too late. These cracks let in hot air from the outdoors or let out cold air already inside. This is a safety concern because it can cause the component to fail and explode. If you suspect this problem, it’s best to contact an HVAC technician immediately.
Dirty Evaporator Coils
Excessive noise or warm air could suggest that you have dirty evaporator coils. These coils are responsible for removing humidity from the air. Dirty coils will prevent the compressor from removing heat from the air, causing hot air to blow.
Clogged Condensate Line
Sometimes, small amounts of condensate will form on the inside of your air conditioner’s coils. If this is the case, it can increase your unit’s workload and cause it to break down over time. A technician will be able to take the necessary steps to determine the source of your leak. They can also prevent future problems, such as mold growth, from occurring.
Obstructed Outdoor AC Unit
The outside unit of your air conditioner can easily become clogged with plants and other debris over time. This can cause several problems. First, It might prevent your unit from being able to move hot air from your home.
Second, if the lines are clogged with debris, you could get moisture buildup in your home. The hot, moist air could collect right inside your AC unit, causing condensation to form within it.
To prevent the buildup of moisture, you should keep obstacles and plants at least five feet away from your AC unit. The leaves and branches of these plants can easily clog your AC unit’s lines over time.
Dirty or Clogged Drain Line
The drain line is a part of your equipment that goes from the outdoor unit to the drain pan. This can become clogged with dirt and leaves. If it does, the condensation on top of that will eventually cause a leak. Having a water problem on top of already having an air problem can be disastrous for your AC.
At Gallagher’s Plumbing Heating, and Air, it would be our pleasure to help solve any AC issues you’re having. If you experience your air conditioner blowing out hot air, our professionals can help.
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