In Whitesburg, KY, air conditioning is essential in the summer months. So, when you switch yours on and it starts blowing hot air, it’s easy to panic. Here are some reasons an AC system might blow hot air and what to do about them:
Dirty Air Filter
The most common reason an air conditioner would start blowing hot air is a dirty air filter. It happens because a dirty filter obstructs airflow over your AC system’s evaporator coil. That reduces the AC system’s ability to extract heat from the air and expel it.
The good news is that you can solve the problem with a new air filter. You can purchase new air filters at any home improvement or hardware store. Be sure to buy a filter with the same dimensions and MERV rating as the one you’re replacing.
Dirty Condenser Coil
A dirty condenser coil is another frequent cause of an AC system blowing hot air. The condenser coil is in your air conditioner’s outdoor unit and is integral to how the system expels heat. If it gets too dirty, it loses its ability to transfer heat to the outdoor air.
To solve the problem, you can clean off your condenser coil with a garden hose. First, turn off your AC system and open the garden hose’s bib just enough to let water start flowing. Then, rinse the coils from left to right, top to bottom, beginning with the inside and working your way outside.
Low Refrigerant
Finally, the most serious reason your AC system might blow hot air is that it’s running low on refrigerant. That means the system has a leak, which can be challenging to locate and repair. Sometimes, a refrigerant leak could force you to replace your AC system altogether.
If your air conditioner starts blowing hot air in Whitesburg, KY, don’t panic. Instead, immediately call Appalachian Refrigeration, Heating & Cooling for an AC repair appointment.
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