My AC Blows Hot Air: When Do I Call in the Pros?

On a hot summer day, all you want to do is step into the cool interior of your home.

Because you pay good money each month to cool your home, you certainly expect your house to be comfortable after a hot drive home from the office. But what do you do when you walk in and the air is stifling?

You check your vent to discover a stream of warm air.

An AC blowing hot air is uncomfortable, but it is also a symptom of a larger problem that may require a visit from your HVAC technician.

Why Does an AC Blow Hot Air?

There are some standard reasons why your AC may be blowing hot air. These include:

• Low refrigerant levels: Without refrigerant, commonly called “freon” or “coolant,” your AC can’t properly chill the air.
• Clogged air filter: When the filter is clogged, it restricts airflow into the AC. This forces it to work harder, which can result in it blowing hot air.
• Blocked condenser coils: Condenser coils are located outside the unit and release heat into the environment. If they’re dirty or blocked, they can’t dissipate heat properly, which makes the AC struggle to cool.
• A faulty compressor: The compressor pressurizes the refrigerant, and if it’s not pressurizing that gas properly, the AC can’t cool effectively.

When Should You Call an Expert?

Unless you have some HVAC training, most of these issues will probably result in a call to your service provider. Most homeowners should already change their filter regularly, but many of these issues are best addressed by a professional air conditioning technician.

In the case of handling refrigerant, HVAC technicians must be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency before they can add or remove these chemical substances. A homeowner who doesn’t have the proper training can damage their system or cause harm to the environment.

Leaving these issues undiagnosed can result in bigger repairs for your unit. It might even need to be replaced. Both options are costly. It’s best to plan routine maintenance for your air conditioning unit each spring to avoid a more expensive repair later.

If your air conditioning unit isn’t working properly and you want a pro to come out and look, we can help. The New York City air conditioning experts at Petri Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Drain Cleaning will diagnose the problem and get your unit running smoothly again.

Call us at (718) 717-1089 today or schedule a consultation online, and let New York City’s trusted experts keep you cool this summer!