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Why is my AC Blowing Hot Air?

AC tech checking an air conditionerHey there! So is your AC blowing hot air, huh? Don’t sweat it (pun intended)! Our One Hour Air Conditioning techs are from Pensacola, and we’ve seen this a bunch of times. Let’s chat about why this might be happening and what you can do about it.

Reason #1: Outdoor Unit Not Running

First off, check if the AC unit outside your house is running. It’s called the condenser, but you can think of it as the outdoor unit. If it’s not humming away, or it’s making loud sounds, you’ve got a problem. Could be a bad part, or maybe the breaker tripped. Usually, it’s not too hard to fix.

Reason #2: Low Refrigerant Charge

Now, let’s talk about something called refrigerant. It’s like the secret sauce of your AC. If it’s low, your AC’s gonna struggle to cool things down. You might even see some ice forming on the unit. If that’s the case, you’ll want to call in a pro because there’s probably a leak somewhere.

Reason #3: Faulty Thermostat or Wrong Setting

The thermostat setting is an issue that is sometimes missed. It may just be on the wrong setting, like maybe it got accidentally set to “heat” or the fan might be set to “on” which just circulates warm air continuously. If your furnace is running when it shouldn’t be, shut down the system and call a professional like our One Hour AC technicians. Sometimes, the thermostat just needs to be changed.

Reason #4: Heat Pump Reversing Valve Is Faulty

If you’ve got a heat pump, there’s this thing called a reversing valve that could be stuck. It’s like a switch that tells your system whether to heat or cool. If it’s stuck, well, you can guess what happens.

Reason #5: Clogged or Dirty Air Filter

Your AC’s performance depends on having good airflow. If the AC air filter is clogged or dirty, it can reduce the flow of air and make your system have to work harder. A clogged filter is like trying to breathe through a straw – it’s gonna make your AC work way too hard. in turn makes the air coming from your vents feel warm. Changing the air filter regularly helps prevent this issue and keeps enough air flowing through your system.

Reason #6: Frozen Evaporator Coil

Sometimes, your AC might actually freeze up. I know, sounds crazy in the middle of summer, right? But it happens. If you see ice, turn it off and let it thaw out. If the evaporator coil freezes, it can cause your AC to blow warm air. This usually happens when the refrigerant is low, or there isn’t enough airflow.

Reason #7: Ductwork Leaks or Holes

Lastly, take a peek at your ductwork if you can. Any holes or leaks can let hot air sneak in, making your AC seem like it’s not doing its job.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if my AC is blowing hot air?

Check your thermostat, change the filter, and if nothing else works, shut it down and call a professional AC repair tech.

Should I turn off my AC if it’s blowing hot air?

Yes, it’s best to shut down your AC if it’s blowing hot air.

How do I reset my AC?

To reset your AC, just turn off the power for a few minutes, then turn it back on.

Can it be too hot for AC to cool?

Believe it or not, yeah. When it’s scorching outside (like, over 100 degrees), your AC might struggle a bit.

If you know why your AC is blowing hot air, you may be able to fix it. The main thing is to address issues quickly and get your AC cooling efficiently again. It’s never a bad idea to call our One Hour AC repair technicians to repair and maintain your system properly.