It’s hot, you’re sweating, and you turn on your air conditioner, expecting a cool breeze. But instead of relief from the heat, what comes out is warm or even hot air! Your AC should be your ticket to beat the summer swelter – not adding to it.  

You might have wondered why this is happening – but don’t worry – we’ve got answers for that! Knowing why your air conditioning system is malfunctioning can help you take steps to fix the issue or call a heating and cooling Nampa Idaho expert so that you get back in comfortable circulation as soon as possible.  

So, let’s figure out why your AC unit is blowing hot air and how to troubleshoot it effectively. 

You Set the Thermostat Incorrectly 

At first glance, it seems impossible for your air conditioner to blow hot air when you’ve taken the appropriate steps to set your thermostat. But this common issue happens from time to time and can be easily rectified!  

As long as the AC unit is plugged in and working, the problem likely lies in your thermostat’s setting. Double-check that you selected ‘Cool,’ set the target temperature appropriately, set it to ‘Auto’ instead of ‘On,’ and turned up the fan speed setting – all things that can contribute to inadvertently getting warm air instead of cold.  

With a few minor adjustments and some know-how, you’ll soon have cool air circulating throughout your home again. 

Your Outside Unit is Clogged or Dirty 

If you turn on the AC in your home and instead of getting a refreshingly cool blast of air, you make a face because the air is blowing hot, it’s time to investigate your outside unit. It could be that the unit has become clogged with dirt and debris, which means it will struggle to push cool air into your home.  

Alternatively, it might just be a build-up of dirt on the outside unit itself, affecting how much air it can transmit. Either way, you need to resolve the issue quickly so you can return to enjoying comfortable temperatures inside your home. 

The Circuit Breaker Tripped 

Trying to get comfortable in your home during the summer with your air conditioner on full blast only to discover that it’s blowing hot air can be one of the most frustrating experiences.  

One reason for this could be due to the circuit breaker tripping. If a lot of electricity is being drawn from your AC unit at once, it can overload the circuit and trip the breaker. To resolve this issue, check all the breakers in your electrical panel and reset any recently tripped.  

After resetting, give your AC five or ten minutes before turning it back on to ensure there won’t be another interruption. Trying to beat the heat doesn’t have to end in defeat! 

If you don’t know how to fix any of these common issues, you can contact a professional HVAC technician for help. Doing so will also help you find any hidden issues with your AC unit that you might have missed.