When you turn on the A/C in your Peachtree City home, the last thing you want is hot air blowing from the vents. Air conditioners are complex machines, and there could be many reasons why your A/C is blowing hot air. Just like your car, they need regular service and maintenance like changing the filters and checking the drain lines.  If you want to try troubleshooting the issue before calling your HVAC contractor, here are a few places to start.

Thermostat Settings

The first step in trying to determine why your A/C is blowing hot air is to check the thermostat mode. The thermostat should be in “cool” or “auto” mode, with the temperature set below the current temperature reading.  If the unit doesn’t start blowing cooler air with the lower temperature setting you need to call an expert for service.

Iced Evaporator Coil

A common problem with A/C systems is ice accumulation on the evaporator coil. This is located at the furnace or heating component in the house.  If there’s more than a thin layer of ice or frost, or if the insulated refrigerant line coming out of the evaporator coil is frosting or icing, the refrigerant is having a tough time extracting heat from your home. Ice accumulation is often caused by a lack of airflow. Check the air filter and if it’s dirty, change it. Allow the ice to melt. If the ice accumulation returns with a clean filter, there’s a more serious problem that requires professional service.

Refrigerant Leak

Air conditioners cool homes by using very cold refrigerant to extract heat. The refrigerant is pumped between the indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil. Low refrigerant can be a cause for the system blowing hot air, and it’s also a contributor to ice accumulation on the evaporator. Refrigerant is pumped through a closed-loop system. If refrigerant is low, there’s a leak that needs to be repaired or the faulty component replaced.  Leaving a refrigerant leak too long without being repaired can lead to additional component failures including compressor failure.

Compressor Problems

The compressor pumps refrigerant between the evaporator and condenser coils. The compressor also prepares refrigerant to release heat at the condenser coil by squeezing it. If there’s a problem with compressor function, your A/C system may still run, but it won’t cool your home. Common indicators of compressor problems are a lack of preventive maintenance and unusual noises, such as loud hissing, screaming, rattling or humming.  If you suspect a compressor failure turn the unit off and call for an HVAC professional immediately.

If your A/C is blowing hot air into your Peachtree City home and you need a professional solution, call the experts at Powers Heating & Air today.  We also service all of Fayette and Coweta Counties including Sharpsburg, Fayetteville, Senoia, Tyrone, Newnan and Brooks.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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