My air conditioner is blowing warm air, so what's up with that?
Summer has arrived in full force. While pool parties and braais are fun ways to spend the summer, we all rely on the coziness of our homes to provide a welcome break from the heat.
This is when we most rely on our air conditioners. This is also HVAC technicians' busiest season. Every day during the summer, we receive calls about air conditioners that are blowing warm air. Fortunately, it's a common HVAC issue that may be fixed by the homeowner in some cases.
How to Troubleshoot a Warm-Air-Blowing Air Conditioner
Thermostat
The first item you should check is the thermostat, which may seem apparent. If your air conditioner is blowing hot air, the thermostat may have been set to "heat" by mistake. If this is the case, it's a simple remedy that you can do on your own. Simply turn the thermostat to "cool" and observe if the air conditioner starts to blow cool air once more.
You should also double-check that the batteries are charged and that the temperature is not too high. Keep in mind that the "auto" option only turns on the fan when air is heated or cooled. The "on" setting means that the fan will operate continuously to circulate the air, even if the air conditioner or heater is turned off. We advocate using the "auto" function the majority of the time and switching to "on" only when absolutely necessary.
Double-check that the thermostat is set to "cool" and that the temperature is correct. Replace the batteries if they're worn out. We recommend setting the thermostat at around 25,5 degrees Celsius during the cooling season, and 7-10 degrees higher while away from home. You can save 10% on your annual heating and cooling bills if the setback time is 8 hours long.
Is it time to replace your thermostat? Contact Gree Direct for more information.
Circuit breaker
Check the electrical panel after checking the thermostat batteries and settings to ensure the HVAC system has power. The operation of HVAC equipment necessitates a significant amount of energy. When there is an excessive amount of power demand, the circuit breaker may automatically shut off electricity as a safety precaution.
Look for a tripped breaker or a blown fuse in your electrical panel. Flip the breaker completely off (opposite way of all other breakers) and then back to the "on" position to
re-energize the unit. If a fuse has blown, you'll have to replace it. This is also a good opportunity to name all of your circuits so that you can quickly find them the next time one is overloaded.
If your breaker keeps tripping for no apparent reason, you should call a qualified Gree technician.
Evaporator Coils and Air Filter
A dirty air filter can lead to a dirty evaporator coil, despite the fact that air filters have nothing to do with air temperature. There may not be enough free airflow to allow for efficient cooling operation if the evaporator coil becomes blocked with dust and debris. Debris build-up from a filthy air filter can cause frozen evaporator coils. Although you may believe that "frozen" equals "cold," the frozen coils actually obstruct the flow of cool air, causing warm air to flow from the running engine instead.
Turn off the unit and change the air filter if your evaporator coil is frozen. Before turning the unit back on, wait until it has thawed. Turn the unit off and call a professional HVAC technician to troubleshoot the problem if the coils freeze up again. You may have a refrigerant leak or a compressor malfunction, in which case you will require professional assistance.
Condenser coil
It's time to evaluate the outside unit now that you've checked the thermostat, breaker box, air filter, and indoor coils. The outdoor evaporator coils, like the inside evaporator coils, require open airflow. As a result, it's best to have a 60,96cm distance around the outdoor condenser unit at all times.
Turn off the unit at the source if your outside unit is clogged. Then, using gloved hands, remove the larger things while rinsing the smaller trash with your garden hose. Learn how to clean your outside condenser unit step by step.
At the start of each cooling season, remember to schedule a professional air conditioning tune-up and cleaning. Check to see if your HVAC company's regular tune-up includes comprehensive indoor and exterior coil cleanings. In addition to professional cleanings, it's a good idea to inspect the outdoor unit on a regular basis and clean it as needed.
Refrigerant
Low refrigerant is one of the most common causes of an air conditioner that isn't working properly. You could have undercharged or overcharged refrigerant if you have a worn service valve, loose joints, or faulty assembly.
Refrigerant (also known as coolant) is extremely hazardous. You should never try to address refrigerant problems yourself unless you are a skilled specialist. Schedule annual air conditioning services before the cooling season begins to avoid refrigerant leaks in the first place. Act fast if your air conditioner is spewing heated air, making hissing or gurgling noises, or has ice on the refrigerant line. The sooner you react to the refrigerant that has been undercharged or overcharged, the better. As quickly as possible, contact a Gree Direct technician for the best results.
Our GREE Direct repair team is available to assist you at any moment during the summer or after you return from your vacation. Please contact us right away.