Why is My AC Blowing Hot Air?
You go to bed on a hot summer’s night, basking in the icy breeze from your air conditioner. The next morning, you wake up in a sweat realizing your air conditioner, or AC, is blowing hot air! If you find yourself in this situation, there’s no need to panic. We at Day Heating & Cooling created the following checklist to help you figure out what’s causing the problem:
1. Check the Settings on Your Thermostat
Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, it’s easy to forget the most basic solutions. Make sure your thermostat is set to Cool and not Heat. Additionally, make sure the Auto section is highlighted. The Fan setting should be deselected, because this setting causes the fan to run even when the air conditioner isn’t operating.
2. Check Your Air Filter
When in doubt, always check your air filter. Clogged air filters are the bane of an air conditioner’s existence and can cause all sorts of problems for the unit. Ideally you should replace air filters once a month. This will greatly reduce the risk of any mechanical issues, increase the longevity of your HVAC system, and keep your air quality safe.
3. Make Sure all Units are Operating Correctly, Both Indoors and Outdoors
Check to be sure that both the indoor unit and the outdoor compressor are turned on and functioning. The compressor generates cool air, so if it’s off, the indoor unit has nothing to circulate.
4. Check for Freeze-ups
Freeze-ups are the formation of ice on the exterior of a unit. Check the outdoor compressor for any freeze-ups, as they can cause the compression coils to work improperly, leading to hot air being circulated. Dirty coils can lead to system malfunctions as well. If you do find something frozen, give one of our professionals a call.
5. Other Issues
There are a number of more serious issues that can cause the unit to circulate hot air. A few examples are refrigerant leaks, electrical issues, or broken compressors. In these cases, professional help is mandatory, as they are potentially dangerous to your air conditioner.
Day Heating & Cooling’s team of technicians have years of experience diagnosing and treating these issues throughout Salem, Oregon. Call us at 503-363-4822.