Your air conditioner pulls heat out of your indoor air in order to make your home cooler, but like any appliance, it can occasionally malfunction. If your A/C is blowing hot air when it runs, there are a few things you can check before calling in the professionals.
Troubleshooting Tips for Your Air Conditioner
- Check the electrical connections to the outdoor unit. If the indoor air handler is running, that indicates that it’s getting power, but if the outdoor condenser is on a different circuit or its connection has been jarred loose, it might not be helping the system cool.
- Check the thermostat. If it’s been bumped or set to heating on accident, that’s an easy fix. You should also check to see if the fan has been set to “on” instead of “auto,” as that will cause the fan to run and circulate air even if the air isn’t being cooled.
- Take a look at the air filter. If it hasn’t been replaced lately, it might be contributing to your system’s issues. If the filter is missing, it allows dust to get inside the equipment, which can insulate the coils and prevent your A/C from cooling. Replace the filter if it’s clogged or gone.
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils. Remember, the coils transfer energy, and a layer of insulation — even if it’s only dust — will slow or prevent that transfer from taking place.
- Clear plants, debris and clutter away from the outdoor condenser unit. The outdoor unit needs plenty of airflow in order to work to its potential. If airflow is obstructed by overgrowth, it will impact the entire system.
- Take a look at the refrigerant line and note any damage, denting, twists or leaks. If there’s a problem, you’ll need to call for professional repair.
If your A/C is blowing hot air and these steps haven’t fixed the issue, give Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing a call! We proudly serve our Indianapolis neighbors.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Brownsburg, Indiana and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Mile Atanasov/Shutterstock”
