When your AC blows hot air, the cause is usually one of a few culprits: a thermostat set to the wrong mode, a tripped breaker, a clogged filter, dirty condenser coils, or low refrigerant. During a Sacramento Valley heat wave, even a small issue can leave your Winters or Davis home dangerously warm, so it pays to know what to check first.
Some of these fixes take just a minute, like swapping a filter or resetting a breaker, while others, such as a refrigerant leak or an aging system, call for a licensed technician. The guide below walks through eight common reasons an air conditioner blows warm air, in the order worth checking, so you can rule out the easy stuff before scheduling a repair.
Look Over Your Thermostat Settings
It’s always possible that someone in your home or the party you threw last night accidentally adjusted the thermostat. Or you may have changed the schedule from a.m. to p.m. without realizing it. If the issue keeps happening, check your thermostat app or change out your batteries to see if it resolves the problem.
Check Your Circuit Breakers
If your home is very hot and you have several appliances, devices, and technology running, you may have overloaded your circuits and tripped a breaker. Circuits can quickly trip when there are too many fans and electronics going at the same time. Before you call an expert to take a look, check your circuit breakers, just in case. You could save yourself a service call.
Clean Out Your AC Unit
Dirt, dust, and debris can get trapped on your evaporator coils and other areas of the outside unit of your AC. Before you do anything else, switch off the power from your circuit breaker that leads to your HVAC or air conditioner to stay safe. Next, use a screwdriver to remove the lid, carefully rinse the coils and look for any signs of blockages. Work carefully so as not to disturb anything else in your AC. Even if the problem isn’t your coils, you can still maximize the performance of your air conditioner and may see a dip in your utility bills.
Switch Out Your Old AC Filter
Sometimes a faulty AC is nothing more than a dirty, clogged filter. When they’re too dirty, they blow allergens and contaminants into your home and make your system sluggish. You may even feel hot air pouring from your vents. Change out your filters once every 1 to 3 months. However, that figure can fluctuate depending on how new your system is and how often you use it.
Check for Refrigerant Leaks
Low refrigerant levels or leaks are a common problem and will quickly deplete your air conditioner and cause it to blow warm air. It may be a simple fix. However, some leaks are due to corrosion or damage to your system. It’s possible you may need a new air conditioning system. We’re here to help and also offer flexible financing options to make your investment hassle-free.
Look for Clues of Frozen Evaporator Coils
Coils can get dusty, messy, and rusty, but they can also freeze. When your condensate drain clogs and gets blocked, moisture on the coil can freeze. The results are an air conditioner that works sporadically and leaks. Call the team at Pearce for routine AC maintenance or repairs to resolve the problem.
Consider Ductwork Seal Problems
If you have old ductwork in your home, they could have pinpoint holes, tears, or leaks. That air can escape into hot areas, like your attic, and never reach the rest of your home. Depending on the issue, you may need your ducts sealed or a system upgrade.
Think About the Age of Your AC System
Is your HVAC or air conditioner 10 years old or older? It may be nearing the end of its lifespan and no longer working efficiently. At some point, it’s not worth the cost to keep repairing an HVAC and you may need a new installation. Otherwise, you’re spending money on repairs and soaring energy bills as your system tries to keep up with cooling your home.
Call Pearce Heating & Air Today for Air Conditioning Repair
If your AC is still blowing hot air, we’re here to help. The team at Pearce Heating & Air will come over to look over your unit, talk through the plan, and offer upfront pricing you can trust. We’ll make sure your air conditioner is fixed and cools down your home as soon as possible. We also offer air conditioning installation with flexible financing options, maintenance plans, and more. Call us today!