Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is a $15.78 billion market in the US. Come 2028; experts forecast it to reach $23.78 billion. Extreme environmental conditions, they say, are primary factors for that growth.

Extreme heat and cold, after all, cause thousands of people to become ill each year.

Fortunately, such air conditioner problems can be easy to fix, depending on the cause. This guide explains both, so read on to learn more.

Thermostat Set to Heat Mode

Also called reverse cycle air conditioners, heat pumps can cut energy use by 30% to 60%. They have a mechanism allowing them to provide both heating and cooling. So, they can cool buildings in the summer and then heat them in the winter.

Convenient, right? Definitely, but it may also be because of their dual-function that they can blow hot instead of cool air.

If you have a heat pump, ensure your thermostat is on COOL and not HEAT mode. Someone could’ve switched it by accident.

Air Conditioner Fan Set to ON

An air conditioner’s fan set to ON instead of AUTO can also cause it to blow warm air. The ON setting makes the AC blow air whether or not the unit is actively cooling your home. In that case, it can circulate warm air while your space cooler is in between cycles.

Set your air conditioner’s fan to AUTO so that it only blows air while the AC is in its active cooling mode.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Your air conditioner’s refrigerant is a chemical coolant absorbing heat from warm air. It flows through cold metal loops called evaporator coils. These two primary components work together to cool the air inside your home.

However, the coolant must first pass through the refrigerant lines to get to the coils. Unfortunately, these copper tubes can corrode or sustain mechanical damage. That can trigger them to leak, allowing the chemical to seep out.

If the refrigerant level drops too low, it can no longer do its job of heat absorption. As a result, your AC blows warm air through the vents.

Call a residential or commercial HVAC company ASAP if you suspect a refrigerant leak. The pros can determine if it’s a chemical leak causing your air conditioning issues. If so, they can quickly locate it and fix or replace the line.

The air conditioning repair pros may also need to recharge your system if it’s lost too much of the coolant. If that’s the case, expect to pay a few hundred dollars, depending on the type of refrigerant your AC uses.

If the unit is old and has broken down many times before, replacing it with a more efficient unit might be wiser.

Fix an Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air ASAP

High temperatures not only cause illnesses; they also claim hundreds of lives in the US each year. Thus, the CDC advises folks to stay in an air-conditioned room during extreme heat events.

That’s also why it’s vital to address and fix an air conditioner blowing hot air ASAP. So, follow our tips to keep your home or office from becoming oven-like and putting you at a severe safety risk.

Did you like this guide? If so, you’d love our other articles, so feel free to check them out now!