Summers in Cape Coral are filled with warm weather perfect for boating and spending the day at the beach. But with that Florida heat comes high humidity. You rely on your air conditioner to function properly during this time of year so you have a place to escape to after a long day in the sun. 

The last thing you want to discover is your AC blowing hot air on a cool setting. Your air conditioner should make your home feel cool and comfortable, the opposite of what you’re experiencing outside. Unfortunately, an air conditioning unit blowing hot air is a common problem.

This guide will discuss why your air conditioner might be blowing hot air instead of cool and what you should do to address the issue. Get in touch with a reputable HVAC company in Cape Coral immediately to get your unit working properly again. 

Your Thermostat Is Having Issues

One of the reasons your AC might be blowing out hot air is because of your thermostat. This can commonly happen if you have an old thermostat that’s calibrated incorrectly.

Check if you still have your air conditioner manual and review if the thermostat settings are right. If you’re still encountering the same problem, you might need to have your thermostat recalibrated or replaced.

What You Should Do

There are a couple of things you can do on your end to see if the thermostat is the culprit:

• Turn the thermostat to “auto” instead of “on”
• Make sure the thermostat isn’t in heat mode

It might be time to upgrade a programmable thermostat. Old thermostats tend to run into frequent problems. A programmable thermostat can help you control when you cool down your home, saving you energy costs.

The Air Filters Could Be Clogged

Your air conditioner’s air filters play an essential role. They trap harmful particles and pathogens that are floating in your air. However, they can become oversaturated and clogged over time if you’re not swapping them out.

A clogged air filter prohibits cold air from being able to circulate through your home. They can also restrict airflow. Your air conditioner will work harder to pump cold air into your house, resulting in other issues.

What You Should Do

Your AC’s air filters should get changed every 30-90 days. The type of filters and how often you change them depends on various things, such as:

• Number of pets
• Square footage of the house
• Number of people with allergies

Make a note on your calendar when you change your air filters. Count out 30-90 days and set a reminder to switch them out again.

Your Unit Is Low on Refrigerant

Low refrigerant is a common cause of AC blowing hot air. Refrigerant is the thing your unit needs to keep your home cold. It’s a fluid that absorbs humidity and heat in the air.

If you’re not getting cold air from your AC, you might have a refrigerant leak. Whatever refrigerant is still in the unit might not be enough to cool the air in your home.

Some signs that you have a refrigerant leak include:

• Ice build-up on the outside of your unit
• Bubbling or hissing sounds

What You Should Do

Fixing this problem isn’t as easy as putting more refrigerant in your AC. Locating the leaks and repairing them can be expensive and time-consuming. If you don’t fix the problem immediately, your unit’s compressor motor might get damaged.

The Outdoor Unit Doesn’t Have Power

Your home’s air conditioning system is comprised of two parts. They are:

• Indoor Unit: Circulate cold air throughout your house
• Outdoor Unit: Cool warm air

Another reason your outdoor unit might lose power is that you have an old system. Old systems struggle to keep houses cool, especially on a really hot day. This problem could result in a fuse getting blown.

What You Should Do

If you notice that your AC is blowing warm air, it might be because your outdoor unit is out of power. A couple of things could cause that to happen, such as blowing a fuse or tripping a circuit breaker. Check your fuse panel to see if that’s the case.

The Evaporator Coil Might Be Frozen or Dirty

Your air conditioner’s evaporator coils are part of the unit where the refrigerant absorbs and cools warm air. Over time, these coils could get clogged or dirty. They won’t be able to properly cool the air if this happens.

That’s because if they’re clogged, there isn’t enough free airflow that enables your unit to blow out cold air. Additionally, dirty air filters can cause debris build-up, which results in frozen coils.

Frozen coils don’t equal cold air. They prohibit cold air from flowing through your unit, resulting in warm air getting blown through instead.

What You Should Do

Turn off your air conditioner if your coils are frozen, and swap out the air filter. Wait until the coils thaw before switching it back on. If your coils freeze again, contact an experienced HVAC company in Cape Coral.

There Are Issues With Your Fan

Your AC fan is key for blowing cold air through your home. Just like debris and dirt can cause problems with your filters and coils, they can also wreak havoc on your fan.

The failure of your outdoor or indoor unit’s fan can cause poor airflow. Warm airflow will get blown out instead of cool. If ignored, you might encounter compressor failure.

Your unit’s fan could be damaged. The following things can stop your fan from working:

• Damaged bearings
• Rust

What You Should Do

The fan might need to get cleaned if debris is the problem. It could need to get replaced if it is burnt out due to wear and tear. Sometimes you might have to replace your entire outdoor unit.

An HVAC company can diagnose what’s going on with your fan and give expert recommendations.

Why Is My AC Blowing Hot Air on a Cool Setting?

Don’t wait until you find your AC blowing hot air on a cool setting. The cause could be something as minor as needing to replace your air filters. However, a more serious issue, like a refrigerant leak, could be the culprit.

Florida Cooling Solutions provides quick and professional AC repair services in Cape Coral, FL. If you’re encountering problems with your air conditioner, we’ll work efficiently to get it back up and running again. Contact us to request a free estimate.