If you discover your home's A/C is blowing hot air, don't panic. There are a number of reasons why this can occur. Some are easily remedied, and a skilled HVAC professional can correct the more serious issues. Here are five of the most common causes of a warm air issue, with tips on how to fix the problem and when to call in a pro.
Wrong Thermostat Setting
If someone accidentally switched the thermostat over to heating mode, the flow of air at the registers will quickly change from cool to warm. Make sure the thermostat is set on "cool," and check that the fan is set on "auto" as well. If it's been switched to "on," the fan will run continuously even when the air conditioner cycles off.
No Power at the Outdoor Unit
If the outdoor unit is unplugged or its breaker trips, the air handler will still operate but the flow of cold air will stop. If you reset the breaker in the main electrical panel and it trips again, don't reset it a second time. Instead, call your HVAC contractor for a diagnosis.
Severely Clogged Air Filter
Airflow restrictions caused by a severely clogged air filter can decrease the A/C's cooling capabilities. To restore cool air at the registers, put in a fresh filter. To keep this problem from occurring again, check the filter once a month and replace it whenever there's any dirt accumulation.
Refrigerant Leak
A low refrigerant level due to a leak somewhere in the system can impair cooling ability and eventually cause serious component damage. To prevent this, have an HVAC technician fix the leak and recharge the system's refrigerant promptly.
Dirty Condenser Coil
A layer of debris on the outdoor coil or obstructions around the condenser unit that restrict airflow can both degrade cooling capacity. If clearing the area around the outdoor unit and hosing off the coil doesn't improve output, schedule a professional cleaning for the condenser.
If the A/C is blowing hot air into your Fort Wayne home and you need expert help, contact Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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