We all rely on our air conditioners to keep us comfortable during the summer months and the summer months are upon us. In fact, nearly three-quarters of all US homes have an air conditioner and most of us probably can’t imagine life without one.

But what happens when there’s an issue? Is your air conditioner blowing hot air and you aren’t sure why? Here are 5 of the most common things to check for:

1. Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air? Maybe it Isn’t Your AC

This might seem obvious, but if you’re home on a hot summer day and notice that the air circulating throughout your home isn’t cool, but it’s blowing hot air, the first thing to check is your thermostat.

You or someone else in your home might have accidentally flipped the thermostat to “heat” instead of “cool”. It happens from time to time.

2. A Dirty Air Filter or Evaporator Coil

Is your air conditioner blowing hot air? A common culprit is a dirty evaporator coil which is caused by a dirty air filter. If your air filter is filthy, and your evaporator coil is compromised as a result, your air conditioner can’t perform its basic function.

You can easily change the filter yourself, but to have the evaporator coil cleaned, you’ll need help from a professional.

3. The Outside AC Unit Needs Maintenance

If you’ve been noticing hot air blowing when your AC is on, take a moment to check the outside condenser unit. Are any of the coils blocked by debris, nearby plants, or dirt?

If your unit is being blocked, it will have trouble functioning properly. The condenser coils of your outside unit should be cleaned regularly, especially if your AC is on for a good portion of the year.

4. The Refrigerant is Running Low

The most common reason for your air conditioner blowing hot air is due to a lack of proper refrigerant.

Refrigerant (usually Freon) is a cooling agent that is used to cool the home. If a Freon leak has occurred, you’ll notice it.

A sign of a Freon leak is ice formation on the inside and outside of your air conditioning units. If you have hot air blowing and ice forming on the units themselves, call a professional to fix the issue.

5. Leaky Air Ducts

Another possible reason for hot air blowing from your AC unit is leaky air ducts. These ducts are hidden in your basement, your walls, and/or your attic.

If there’s a leak in them anywhere, the cool air won’t circulate.

Contact a professional AC repair person to check for a leak and make necessary repairs.

Get Your Air Conditioner Fixed Today

We know that it’s hard to go very long when your AC isn’t working as it should and we’re here to help.

If you have an issue with your air conditioner blowing hot air, don’t delay. Give us a call today and we’ll head over as soon as possible to diagnose the problem and get it repaired.