Every summer, we get calls from panicked homeowners who have come home to find that not only is it just as hot inside their house as it is outside, but their AC is blowing hot air! And while this can be cause for concern, it doesn’t always mean something is seriously wrong. If your AC is blowing hot air, check these things before you give us a call!

First, Check Your Thermostat Settings

As it turns out, a significant percentage of calls we get about air conditioner problems end up being thermostat problems—sometimes they’re complex problems, such as a lack of communication between the thermostat and the air conditioner, but sometimes they’re as simple as an improper setting! If your AC is blowing hot air, check and make sure it’s set to the right temperature, it is set to COOL mode instead of HEAT mode, and the fan is set to AUTO and not ON.

Check the thermostat even if you’re sure you set it properly before, as a family member could have altered the settings, or a storm that knocked out the power may have reset it to its factory settings.

Next, Make Sure the Outdoor Unit Is Properly Connected

The outdoor unit on your air conditioner should have a disconnect switch that cuts power to it when you don’t need it to run, and if this switch is in the OFF position, it’ll leave the fan running but prevent your AC from doing any actual cooling (hence the hot air).

If the disconnect switch is in the proper position, take a look at the water and electrical lines going to and from the unit. These lines are responsible for maintaining your AC’s power, but they are subject to constant wear and tear from being outside (not to mention becoming a target for critter’s teeth). Damage to the connecting lines can be hard to assess on your own, but one of our experts can help you out—give us a call!

While you’re out there, check for any debris or obstructions around the base of your AC’s outdoor unit—you’ll want about three feet of clearance on all sides of the unit to allow for proper airflow. Finally, check the fins of the unit and make sure they’re free of dirt, leaves, and other debris. If not, go ahead and hose them off—the water won’t hurt the system and cleaning the dirt off will help improve its efficiency.

If You Can’t Find the Problem, Call Cooper Climate Control – Your Heating & Cooling Specialists

If you’ve tried to solve the problem yourself but can’t find the issue, call us! We know exactly what to look for, and we can help with more complex solutions like recharging refrigerant and fixing leaks, if necessary.

Cooper Climate Control Heating & Air Conditioning has been helping homeowners in the Valley-Metro area for over 20 years. If your system is blowing hot air or having any other problem and you need air conditioner repair in Phoenix, Mesa, Sun City, Ahwatukee, San Tan Valley or Scottsdale, call us today!