Is Your Air Conditioning Unit Blowing Hot Air?
Air conditioners in the middle of a breakdown can rattle and shake, giving you a clear warning sign that something is wrong in the works. Other times, they just don’t blow air completely and the stillness lets you know to call in an expert. But sometimes your A/C seems like it’s working until put your hand near the vent and you realize all it’s blowing is hot air. Hot air can be a symptom of any number of problems ranging from simple to serious; here’s what to do to get your A/C back in working order:
Two Common DIY Problems with Warm Air Conditioners
- The thermostat resets or has an error message. If the power has recently gone out in your neighborhood, the thermostat might have reset to a factory standard that is higher than your preference, or it might not have any set temperature at all. Check the readout to ensure it’s at your preferred room temperature. This glitch can also happen if you have a smart energy system and there’s some other bug in the software.
- Inspect the outdoor unit. If the unit is blocked off with leaves or debris, is overheating, or is off entirely, then cool air might not be possible. Clear away any plant life growing over the walls of the unit and double-check the circuit breaker to make sure it’s on. The power for the internal system and the outdoor unit are separate.
If the thermostat is where you want it, the outdoor unit is on and running well, but there’s still no cool air, call in a professional HVAC expert. There could be a build-up of material in the unit, low freon, or any number of small problems that, if you let it be for too long, could escalate into costly repairs. For A/C maintenance tips and more expert advice, contact Texas Air Tech.