Is Your AC Blowing Hot Air? Here Is Why

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Is Your AC Blowing Hot Air? Here Is Why

19 April 2022
 Categories: , Blog


An air conditioning system that's blowing hot air during the summer heat can be pretty frustrating. The discomfort and sleepless nights are nothing fancy, so you should invest in scheduled AC maintenance and repairs to identify and solve issues before they become a disaster.

A lot could be wrong with your AC if it's blowing hot air. Discover two potential culprits.

An Inefficient Thermostat

An AC that's not blowing cold air is not always a cause for alarm. It could be a minor issue, such as incorrect thermostat settings that compromise the cooling capacity of your system.

The thermostat is a lot like the brains behind your cooling system. So, your AC only does what the thermostat signals dictate. First, check if the thermostat settings are set on cool or auto. If you lower the temperature settings, but the AC still blows warm air, that could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Discover how these thermostat issues impact cooling:

If the Indoor Temperature Is Higher Than Thermostat Setting

Irregularity between the air conditioner settings and the indoor temperatures may result from poor system installation or dirt buildup inside the thermostat. If you use a mechanical model thermostat, temperature inconsistency may signify a stuck heat anticipator.

Contact an AC repair expert to inspect the thermostat and establish if it needs replacement or cleaning to improve the system's performance.

If the Air Conditioning System Stops

If your AC works properly for a while but suddenly stops working, the issue might be dead thermostat batteries. Check if the thermostat has a backlit display to establish if it's getting power. If not, you may need to replace the batteries.

 Contact an AC specialist for inspection and repair if that doesn't solve the issue.

An Aging Air Conditioner

Depending on the model of your AC, the average lifespan should range between 15 and 20 years. When the AC exceeds its lifespan, it loses its efficiency, and it might not cool your space to the desired temperatures.

Note that the longevity of your AC varies depending on:

  • How regularly you use the system
  • If the size of the AC matches the size of your household
  • The climate in your area
  • How often you schedule inspection and maintenance 

Besides blowing hot air, an AC that has served its purpose will break down often and consume more energy than usual. You should replace it to ensure a comfortable and healthy household. Contact an air conditioning contractor near you for more information.