While summer heat is perfect for barbecues, swimming, and other outdoor activities, it’s nice to know that you can get some relief from the heat when you go home and turn on the air conditioner.
So when your AC is not working properly, it can be that much more annoying.
Hot air blowing from the registers is one of the most common AC repair symptoms we see. This issue could be caused by a variety of components and problems in the system.
Here is a quick guide to some of the most common issues that cause an air conditioner to blow hot air:
A Frozen AC Unit or Evaporator Coil
If the air conditioning system gets dirty or contaminated, the inner components could freeze and stop working.
This is why it’s so important to keep the air filter clean.
Dust and debris can make its way into the AC and accumulate on certain components that, in turn, become contaminated and freeze.
The most common component to freeze is the evaporator coil.
The coil works to cool and condense returning air from the system.
A frozen coil is a huge problem because it causes other parts of the AC to strain to work harder to compensate.
Other signs of a frozen evaporator coil include increased humidity in the home and a noisy condenser unit that is working overtime to make up for the frozen coil.
Depending on the severity of the problem, we may thaw the coil and clean it, repair any broken parts, or replace the coil completely if the damage is extensive.
Low or Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is the substance in the AC that offers almost all the cooling power. Low refrigerant in an AC system will cause the unit to lose cooling power and blow hot air.
One of the most important things to remember about the refrigerant levels in your AC is to never simply add more refrigerant if you notice low levels.
There could be an unknown leak you may not notice, that will continue to be a problem, even if you add more refrigerant.
Some of the most common causes of refrigerant leaks include:
- Manufacturer’s defects.
- Accidental damage from past services.
- Incorrect installation.
Once we locate the source of the leak, we can fix the underlying problem and add more refrigerant to get you back in business.
Breaker Panel Issues
Your AC is connected to the breaker panel, which throttles electricity through your home, making sure it’s distributed safely and efficiently.
Many air conditioning issues cause the AC breaker to trip, which can be dangerous and inconvenient.
If your AC breaker is constantly tripping, it could be a sign that your AC is using too much electricity. This could happen for a variety of reasons:
- Your air filter is dirty and the AC is straining to work efficiently, which is causing it to use too much electricity.
- The AC was not properly installed and the breaker panel is not compatible.