A normally reliable air conditioner can suddenly blow hot air on the hottest days of the year. To prevent this scenario, you must understand how your system works and who to call to maintain your comfort. Here are the top seven reasons why your air conditioner might produce hot air.
1. Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is a chemical liquid moving between your indoor and outdoor AC units. Essentially, it acts as a heat transfer so that cool air blows through your vents. If the system has a leak, however, it cannot adequately transfer heat to the exterior. As a result, your system blows hot air into each room.
If you call us to resolve the problem, our team must first locate and seal the leak. Then, we can add new refrigerant to the line. After an AC test, cool air should flow once again.
2. Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat might be the hot air culprit, too. For example, it might be set to heating instead of cooling. In other cases, a programming or wiring issue may be the problem. If you have an older thermostat, it might be time for an upgrade.
Contacting our professionals to verify the cause is crucial. At times, the issue might involve one or several AC components. Repairs made as soon as possible can help to prevent further damage to the system.
3. Clogged or Dirty Filter
Your HVAC filter stops most particulates from entering the system. When the system has a clean filter, the airflow moves at a steady speed. However, a clogged filter creates a barrier. The airflow’s speed significantly drops, which leads to overheating components.
Although the system is set to cooling, the parts cannot properly operate to produce comfortable air conditioning. As a result, your vents may push out warmer air. Replacing the filter is simple and important. You should also verify if there are other barriers to airflow, such as furniture pressed up against a vent.
4. Dirty Coils
Your HVAC system has two sets of coils: the indoor evaporator and the outdoor condenser. Over time, dust, debris and even moisture can cover the coils. As a result, the system cannot properly cool the incoming air.
Our team recommends inspecting and cleaning these coils annually. Once any dusty layers are removed, the coils can again transfer heat as needed. Regular maintenance and cleaning also prolongs the components’ lifespans. Signing up for HVAC maintenance programs like GVEC’s HVAC Spec Check is a great way to make sure you stay on top of this.
5. Failed Compressor
Your outdoor unit contains a compressor. This component pressurizes the refrigerant, which allows cool air to enter your home and hot air to escape through the outdoor fan. If the compressor fails, hot air blowing into the house is often the result.
In this case, replacing the compressor or installing a new outdoor unit are possible solutions. Because the compressor acts as the heart of the HVAC system, it can be expensive. Sometimes upgrading the outdoor unit might be a more cost-effective measure, depending on the system’s age.
6. Blown Fan Motor
A relatively simple reason for hot air blowing through your home is a bad motor. On your outdoor unit, a large fan and attached motor blow hot air away from your home. When this fan motor fails, the condenser overheats and trips a high-pressure switch.
To resolve this problem, our professionals can replace the fan and motor as a single unit. If this is the only system failure, your home should once more have cool air. Additionally, the new motor may have better energy efficiency than the old component.
7. Electrical Issue
Lastly, blowing hot air might occur because the outdoor unit is drawing too much current from your electrical system. As the outdoor unit ages and wears with the natural elements, it tends to work harder than a newer system. So, the electrical components use more electricity to perform the same job.
As the components draw extra current, they might blow a fuse. Although resetting the circuit breaker can momentarily improve the situation, our professionals will need to evaluate the outdoor unit. A repair or replacement may be necessary to stop the excess power draw.
Your South Central Texas Professionals
At GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating, we can repair or replace your AC system. In addition, we specialize in maintenance, ductwork services, and indoor air quality. We’re located in the South Central Texas area with offices in Gonzales, Schertz, Seguin, Cuero and La Vernia and serve all surrounding areas.
Give GVEC Air Conditioning & Heating a call for air conditioning service today!
