Pasadena Air Conditioning: 5 Common Causes for an A/C That's Blowing Hot Air

If your A/C is blowing hot air, your comfort depends on getting the issue resolved as quickly as possible. Here are five of the most likely causes, along with some easy solutions and advice on when to call for professional help.

Incorrect Thermostat Setting

Check the thermostat first to make sure it’s in cooling mode with the fan set on “auto” so it doesn’t run continuously. If the thermostat was accidentally switched over to the “heat” setting or the fan switched to “on,” you’ll feel warm rather than cool air coming from the registers.

No Power at the Outdoor Unit

Make sure the unit is plugged in, and then check for a blown fuse or tripped breaker in the main electrical panel. If the unit’s breaker has tripped, reset it. If the air conditioner runs for a brief period and the breaker trips a second time, don’t reset it. Instead, call your HVAC pro right away.

Badly Clogged Air Filter

If the air filter hasn’t been replaced recently, an extreme amount of dust accumulation may be restricting crucial system airflow and causing a decline in cooling output. To restore the system’s full cooling capabilities, change out the air filter immediately, then check it every month and replace it as soon as it starts looking dirty.

Low Refrigerant Level

If there’s a leak somewhere in the cooling system and the refrigerant level drops, the air conditioner can’t function properly or produce cool air. An experienced HVAC technician needs to test the system to locate and address the source of the leak as soon as possible.

Dirty Outdoor Coil

As dust and dirt build up on the outdoor unit’s condenser coil, heat transfer becomes inefficient and the system’s cooling ability declines. Tall vegetation and yard debris around the condenser can also cut off essential airflow. If hosing off the coil and clearing away airflow obstructions doesn’t improve the situation, contact your HVAC contractor to have the condenser professionally cleaned.

If the A/C is blowing hot air in your Pasadena home and you need expert help, contact the comfort pros at Air-Tro, Inc.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Pasadena, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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