When the hot summer weather sets into South Dakota, many of us resort to our home air conditioners to stay comfortable throughout the worst times of the day. Unfortunately, air conditioners are susceptible to malfunctions just like any other system in your home. If you notice that your air conditioner is blowing hot air, there are various steps you can take to remedy the problem quickly.
Wrong Thermostat Setting
One of the simplest reasons your air conditioner may be blowing hot air is that you have your thermostat set wrong. If it’s the beginning of the year, you may still have it set to heat instead of cold. This is a simple fix because all you need to do is switch it over to cooling mode. If that doesn’t solve the problem, check to see what you have the blower fan set to. If you have the blower fan turned on, it will run around the clock.
Whenever your air conditioner shuts off because your thermostat says your home is at the appropriate temperature, the blower fan will still circulate air throughout your ducting. That air can feel hot when it comes out of the vent. All you need to do is switch your setting to auto, as this only turns your blower fan on whenever your air conditioner is actually running so it can deliver cold air from your vents.
Dirty Air Filter
While the air filter in your air conditioner can be great for catching unwanted airborne particles before they reach the internal components of your indoor air handler unit, it can be a double-edged sword when the filter gets dirty. When too many particles are stuck in the filter, it can act like a wall that makes it very difficult for air to flow through. That’s why filter changes are an essential part of AC maintenance.
This can greatly restrict the ability of your air conditioner to distribute cold air throughout your home. The air that does come out of your vents may feel lukewarm instead of cold. Take a moment and check your air filter to see if it’s overly dirty. If it is, simply replace the filter, and your air conditioner should go back to working like normal.
Tripped Circuit Breaker
It’s crucial to remember your air conditioning system has two components, an indoor air handler unit that moves air throughout the vents and an outdoor condenser unit that releases heat into the air outside. It’s completely possible for the outdoor condenser unit to trip its circuit breaker and shut off while your indoor air handler unit continues to run because it’s powered by a different breaker.
When this happens, hot air from your home will simply circulate throughout your vents and never cool because the outdoor condenser unit won’t allow your system to do its job. You’ll want to reset the circuit breaker for the outdoor condenser unit if it’s tripped.
Blocked Condenser Unit
Another potential cause of your hot air issue is that your outdoor condenser unit is blocked with debris. The outside of the unit needs to be completely clear for the metal fins to disperse heat into the air. If the unit is covered with dirt, leaves, and other debris, it can prevent that heat from coming off the fins. This will restrict your air conditioner from adequately cooling your home. Luckily, there is another easy fix, and all you need to do is clean up around the outdoor condenser unit.
Low Refrigerant Level
Probably one of the most common culprits behind hot air coming out of your air conditioner is a low refrigerant level. Refrigerant is a necessary component of your system that works to extract heat from inside your home and remove it to the outdoors.
If your refrigerant level is too low, it won’t be able to adequately cool your indoor air. Without enough refrigerant, lukewarm air will circulate throughout your ducting. Your unit may be low on refrigerant because it has a leak in one of its coils or refrigerant lines or because one of its fittings is loose. It’s best to let one of our HVAC technicians successfully locate the source of the leak, repair it, and recharge your refrigerant level.
Exceptional AC Repair Service
Waterbury Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers exceptional AC repair service for the Sioux Falls, SD area. We can assist with all your AC replacement, installation, and maintenance needs. Phone our office today to book your next service appointment.
