Having an air conditioner can bring relief from the hot summer days, making you feel comfortable. Nonetheless, as much as you would want such an appliance to demonstrate optimal performance throughout its lifespan, there are situations wherein there are problems. Among others, one that you can often experience would be an air conditioner blowing hot air.
If the appliance is turning on but the air that comes out of it is warm or hot, you certainly have a problem. In the rest of this post, we will point out what exactly these problems can be and what you can do to have them solved. Before you call a technician for professional service, take some time to figure out what is wrong in the first place.
What Is The Problem And Solution
Wrong Thermostat Setting
This is one of the most common problems and perhaps the easiest to repair as it does not require any tool and professional knowledge. All that you have to do is to check the setting of the thermostat. In some cases, it might be under Heat mode.
To remedy this problem, all that you have to do is to check if the thermostat is set at Cool, On, or Auto. The temperature set should also be cooler than the current temperature of the room. If it is turned on, this means that the fan is turned on, which will allow the unit to blow cold and not hot air.
Dirty Air Filter
One of the most important parts of the air conditioner is the filter, which has the primary function of keeping dirt, dust, and particles out of the unit. If they get in, they can cause problems, such as limited air flow. Through the year, the filter won’t be able to take too much beating once it has reached its full capacity in terms of the amount of dirt that will be trapped.
Take time to have a quick inspection of the filter and see if it is already asking for a replacement. As it is recommended by experts, you need to replace the air filters once every one to two months, depending on the extent of use.
Loss of Power
Obviously, when the appliance is experiencing a loss of power, there will be a significant problem, including blowing hot air. Keep in mind that an AC has two main parts – indoor evaporator and outdoor condensing unit. The one that is on the outside is the condenser and can be prone to problems because it is exposed to external factors.
If there is a problem with the condenser, which is the part of the appliance that you can see from the outside, the air will not be cooled. Hence, you can expect that the air blown will be hot and not cool. Check the external parts and see to it that they are working properly. Aside from the condenser, check the circuit breaker to be sure that there is no loss of power.
Leaking Refrigerant
A refrigerant is a compound that starts as a liquid and becomes gas as it is processed in the air conditioner. More popularly known as Freon, which is the brand name of the compound, it is the one that is responsible for cooling. If there is a refrigerant leak, the cooling capacity will be affected and one thing that could happen is that the air blown will end up being hot.
While the problem may seem simple, this is not one thing that you can address on your own. This is a serious concern, and hence, it will be better to call a professional to solve the problem with a refrigerant leak. Before replacing the refrigerant, the leak should be sealed first. Otherwise, you will just end up wasting money with your new refrigerant.
Damaged Ducts
This is another instance wherein the problem lies with the obstructions in the air flows. If the duct is damaged, which can be in the form of holes, cracks, leaks, or disconnection, the return air will not be able to find its way back to the unit. The cool supply of air will not reach your room. Instead, it will already be hot when it blows out.
In the case of some models, the ducts can be easily accessed and seen, so perform a quick inspection of it. There can be rodents, insects, or debris stuck. If the problem is too serious to be handled on your own, it is better to seek out for professional help.
Improper Maintenance
This could perhaps best summarize the things that have been mentioned above. If you do not pay attention to the regular maintenance of your AC, chances are, it will be prone to problems that will make it blow hot air. From the fins to the filters to the condenser, you need to inspect it from time to time and have it serviced as needed.
Proper maintenance includes changing filters and performing regular cleaning. However, if you do not have technical knowledge and expertise, leave it in the hands of the pros. Let them do their jobs and you will enjoy cooler air and lesser problems with the AC.
Conclusion
Now that you are done reading this post, I hope that you are already well-aware of the reasons for an air conditioner blowing hot air. As noted above, some of the most common causes can include wrong thermostat setting, dirty air filter, loss of power, leaking refrigerant, damaged ducts, and improper maintenance. Pay attention to these problems to make sure that your AC will keep you cool without any interruption.
Leave a Reply