What Should You Do If Your AC Is Blowing Hot Air?

It is concerning to experience your AC breaking during peak summer days. When this issue happens, the first thing you should inspect is the thermostat. If your air conditioner is blowing hot air, the thermostat may have been set to “heat” by mistake. If this is the case, it is simple to fix yourself. Return the thermostat to “cool” and check if the air conditioner starts blowing cool air again.

Additionally, ensure that the batteries are operational and that the temperature is not set too high. Remember that the “auto” function only uses the fan when the air is heated or cooled. However, hiring a professional Avondale AC contractor is advisable if the issue is more complicated.

Reasons Your Air Conditioning System Is Blowing Hot Air

Here are some common reasons your cooling system is blowing hot air:

  • Breaker Circuit

    After verifying the thermostat batteries and settings, check the wiring closet to ensure the HVAC system is powered on. Heating and cooling units consume a lot of energy to operate. When there is an excessive power demand, the circuit breaker may immediately cut off power as a protective measure. Look for a tripped circuit breaker in your AC’s electrical panel.

    Flip the AC breaker off (in the opposite direction of all the other fuses) and then back to the “on” position to restore power to the unit. If you have a blown fuse, you must replace it. It could also be a good time to label all of your circuits for easy reference the next time an overloaded circuit occurs.

  • Dirty Air Filter & Evaporator Coils

    Although air filters have no direct bearing on air temperature, a clogged air filter can lead to a clogged evaporator coil. When the evaporator coil becomes congested with dust and debris, there may be insufficient airflow to allow proper cooling operation. A clogged air filter accumulates debris, leading to frozen evaporator coils. You might think that “frozen” means “cool air,” but frozen coils obstruct cool airflow, resulting in warm air from the running motor instead. For this reason, replacing the air filter every 30–60 days is recommended, depending on the climate, filter type, and residence.

  • Faulty Condenser Coils

    After checking the thermostat, breaker box, air filter, and indoor coils, it’s time to inspect the outdoor unit. Like the indoor evaporator coils, the outdoor condenser coils require free airflow. A 2-foot clearance around the outdoor condenser unit is suggested at all times. If your outdoor unit becomes clogged, turn it off at the source. Then, wearing gloves, remove the larger debris and rinse away the smaller particles with your garden hose. It is better to learn the proper steps for cleaning your outdoor condenser unit thoroughly.

When hot weather arrives, schedule a professional tune-up or air conditioning repair in Phoenix, AZ. If you are searching for a dependable air conditioner repair company, let Autumn Air Heating & Cooling be your first choice. Our technician team is ready to serve you around the clock — call us at (602) 266-5247">(602) 266-5247 or email us at [email protected] to book an appointment.