How to Troubleshoot an A/C That Is Blowing Hot Air

How to Troubleshoot an A/C That Is Blowing Hot Air

There are many reasons why your A/C may be blowing hot air. This guide will outline five of the most common issues to help you understand what you can fix yourself and when to call a professional for assistance. But first, before you go through this checklist, make sure your thermostat wasn’t switched to heat mode. It could have been switched on accidentally, and it's best to check off the obvious issues first.

Issues With Your Outdoor Condensing Unit

Your outdoor condensing unit compresses and controls the refrigerant's flow through the cooling unit and must be running properly for the system to remove heat from the home. If the condenser is off, it could be as simple a fix as resetting the breaker or as complex as replacing the compressor.

Overheated or Faulty A/C Compressor

The A/C compressor is housed in the outdoor condensing unit. There are several potential problems that could occur within the compressor parts, so it must be examined closely by a professional.

Dirty Air Filter

A dirty air filter will cut off airflow to the A/C coil, waste energy and stress system components. Your filters should be changed following the manufacturer’s recommendations, usually every 30 to 60 days.

Low Refrigerant Levels

This is the most common issue when an A/C is blowing hot air. Refrigerant may be low because of an improper charge during installation, or you may have a small leak. In either case, you'll need an expert to recharge the system and make any necessary repairs.

Unit Not Properly Maintained

Most home comfort systems are taken for granted and ignored until they fail. Routine preventive maintenance can catch small problems before they become repair or replace issues and save you money long-term.

If your A/C is blowing hot air and you need it fixed quickly, please contact us at Air Assurance. We provide quality HVAC preventative maintenance and services to Broken Arrow and the greater Tulsa area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Mile Atanasov/Shutterstock”

That Noise Your Air Conditioner's Making -- How Much Longer Can You Take It?

That noise your air conditioner's making could mean a potential breakdown or other serious problem. On the other hand, that noise could simply mean loose components or minor issues that are easy to fix during routine maintenance. Here are some of the more common noises you might hear in your cooling system and some suggestions on what to do to silence the noise your air conditioner's making.Compressor, condenser or other system components:

• Banging or clanking: This could mean a loose internal component in the compressor, such as a connecting rod or crankshaft. If internal mounts or entire components are loose, similar sounds could result.

• Squeaking: Moving parts, such as fan motors or bearings, may need lubrication.

• Bubbling, hissing or spraying: This could mean a significant refrigerant leak. Lost refrigerant can be harmful to the local environment and can decrease air conditioner performance or cause more serious damage.

• Buzzing or crackling: These kinds of noises can be caused by faulty electrical connections, arcing connections or other serious electrical problems that require immediate professional repair. They can also be an indicator of a failing motor within the system.

• Clicking or snapping: This could mean a failed component trying to activate, such as a defective thermostat or control switch.

• Clunking, thumping or rattling: This type of noise may be caused by loose components or other internal hardware, such as fan pulleys or component mounts.

• Hissing or "screaming" noise: If loud noises of this type are coming from the compressor, it could indicate dangerously high pressure levels within the compressor. If these noises continue, shut down the air conditioner and call for professional service.

Ductwork

• Rattling, clunking, thumping or banging: Animals in the ductwork system are common sources of unexpected ductwork noises. Normal expansion and contraction of the ductwork pipes could also cause these sounds. Ductwork can also conduct sounds from other parts of the system.

• Hissing, roaring or whistling: This could indicate an air leak somewhere within the ductwork system.

Air Assurance brings more than three decades of professional HVAC experience to customers in the Tulsa and the Broken Arrow areas. Contact us today for more information on interpreting the noise your air conditioner's making and what to do to fix the problem.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Why Your Furnace Filter Should Be Changed Regularly

With a system as large and as important to your daily life as your furnace, it is sometimes easy to ignore small, but vital components, such as your air filters. Furnace air filters may seem trivial, but they are an important part of your overall heating system. Here are some good reasons why your furnace filter should be changed regularly.

• Improved health for you and your family – Furnace filters trap dust, pollen, mold, and even bacteria and microorganisms that might normally end up in your home’s interior air, where they can be inhaled by you and your family. A clean, fresh filter will keep these materials out of your air, decreasing the chance of respiratory problems, and reducing the possibility of aggravating allergies, asthma or similar medical conditions.

• Better and more efficient furnace operation – By regularly changing air filters in your furnace, you help your heating system run more efficiently. Furnaces need a consistent and unobstructed source of airflow, but if the filter is dirty, that airflow is choked off. Your furnace will run harder to keep up with temperature settings. A clean filter reduces the chance of breakdown.

• Decreased need for deep-level cleaning – If dust and other airborne pollutants are trapped in the filter, they don’t have a chance to accumulate inside the furnace itself. This keeps the furnace and ductwork cleaner, and increases the interval between necessary intense cleanings.

• Savings on your heating bills – Clean filters help your furnace run more efficiently, which means the unit makes better use of the fuel it consumes. The furnace does not have to run as hard or as long to keep your house warmed to the desired level. Better operation means less energy is used or wasted, adding up to real savings on your heating bills.

Air Assurance has more than three decades of experience serving heating and air conditioning customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow areas. Let us help you find the most effective filter to use in your furnace. Contact us today.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!      Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.