Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

Last Modified: 1/2/24

What are common reasons an air conditioning system might stop working? This can happen because of clogs, electrical faults, low refrigerant levels, issues with the evaporator coil, or problems with the compressor. In cars, a malfunctioning AC system is often caused by a refrigerant leak or a dirty coil.

Other causes for the system’s failure. Can be the following:

• Incorrectly Set or Broken Thermostat
• Dirty Air Filter
• Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coil
• Refrigerant Leaks
• Loss of Power
• Damaged Ducts
• Failed Compressors

Incorrect Thermostat Settings

The thermostat is one of the first things to look at when your AC is blowing warm air. The best-case scenario is that you accidentally had the wrong thermostat settings. If it’s set to heat or auto, simply setting it to cool will solve the problem. However, in some instances, the thermostat may have malfunctioned, which is preventing the right signals from reaching your air conditioning unit. If that’s the case, the thermostat may need to be replaced.

Dirty Air Filter

A dirty air filter can also be the cause of an air conditioner blowing hot air. Air filters prevent dust and debris from entering the air conditioning unit. When an air filter becomes too clogged, it can prevent enough air from entering the system. When evaporator coils don’t receive enough air, they can freeze, causing the system to stop blowing cold air. An air filter should be changed every 1 to 3 months or as recommended by the manufacturer of your HVAC system.

Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils

Dirty evaporator coils can also be why an air conditioner is blowing hot air. Evaporator coils absorb heat from the air so the air conditioner can blow colder air into the home. However, dust and debris collecting on the evaporator coils will reduce the air conditioner’s efficiency in cooling air and can lead to frozen evaporator coils. Evaporator coils can be easily damaged if not handled carefully, so homeowners should not try to clean AC unit evaporator coils themselves. This type of maintenance is best performed by a licensed technician with the proper HVAC training and tools. Scheduling regular maintenance appointments to have your air conditioning system serviced will give technicians an opportunity to spot evaporator coil issues before they become a problem and perform any cleaning that might be necessary to keep your AC unit blowing cool air.

A Refrigerant Leak

Air conditioners use refrigerants to cool the air sent into your home. When those refrigerants are low, that could indicate your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak. While a refrigerant leak won’t keep your AC unit from running, it will only blow warm air as it tries in vain to reach the temperature set on your thermostat. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, it’s essential to have your air conditioner checked and schedule an AC repair right away. Not only do you want to have any leaks repaired to get your air conditioner blowing cold air again, but you also want to avoid any potential damage caused by the refrigerant leaking from your unit. An outdoor refrigerant leak isn’t likely to present a hazard to people, but it can harm plants and animals.

Loss of Power

Your home’s electrical supply powers outdoor units. Anything that interferes with that supply of electricity reaching your air conditioner can cause a power failure that will keep your AC unit from blowing any air. A wide range of issues can be the cause, from a tripped circuit breaker to a blown fuse or other wiring issues. It can be difficult for homeowners to narrow down the cause of a loss of power to their air conditioner. Electrical systems can be very complex and challenging to troubleshoot, but Gore Heating & Air can inspect the system to determine the cause of the failure and have any required AC repair performed by a trained technician.

Damaged Ductwork

Another reason your air conditioner might be blowing hot air is the ductwork. If ductwork isn’t installed correctly or is deteriorating from wear and tear, the airflow from your air conditioner can be impeded. In addition, parts of the ductwork may have gaps or holes that allow your cold air to escape into parts of your home where it’s not needed, like attics, basements, or between floors. Gore Heating & Air specializes in ductwork repair. If your ductwork isn’t delivering cold air throughout your home, we can determine why and make necessary repairs.

A Broken Compressor

An air conditioner’s compressor compresses the refrigerant gas and pumps it through the AC system’s condenser coils to remove heat from the indoor air. If the compressor is broken or not functioning properly, the refrigerant gas cannot be compressed and circulated through the system. A broken compressor can very likely be the reason the AC is blowing hot air. Read our reviews and consider working with us!

Contact Us for Any AC Repair

No matter what is causing your air conditioner to blow hot air, Gore Heating & Air, specialists in air conditioning installation in Hope Mills, NC, ductless mini splits in Fayetteville, NC, and a variety of other services in the surrounding areas, can solve the problem. We can evaluate your air conditioning system and isolate any areas preventing your system from successfully producing cool air. Additionally, we can handle any AC repair, whether the problem is a minor issue requiring simple maintenance, like replacing a dirty air filter, or a major failure requiring a complete HVAC system installed. Follow our blog for more tips and resources for residents and commercial business owners.

We aim to get your system running again as quickly as possible at an affordable price and with the utmost professionalism and customer support. Contact us today for fast, reliable, and friendly service!