Did you know that, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 38 people suffered heat-related deaths between January and July of last year?

Going without AC in a place as hot as Texas isn’t just miserable; it’s dangerous. Waking up on one of those 100-degree days to your AC blowing hot air is a nightmare no one should have to experience.

If you want to avoid dangerous situations like that, you need reliable AC repair in New Braunfels, TX.

In this blog post, we’ll explain why your AC is blowing hot air and what you can do to fix it.

Five Mechanical and Electrical Issues That Make Your AC Blow Hot Air in New Braunfels

If you need help with any of the issues we’re about to discuss, reach out to Apollo Air Heating & Cooling. We’ll rush a technician out to you who can get the cold breeze flowing in your home again right away.

Problem #1: Incorrect Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. The sensors inside detect small changes in temperature and send instructions to the unit about when to heat and cool your home. If your thermostat is calibrated incorrectly, your AC won’t know when to turn off.

The placement of your thermostat can also affect the way your AC functions. If it sits in direct sunlight or near a vent, it can misread the temperature and cause your AC to run too often or not enough.

Problem #2: Dirty Air Filters

Filters catch dirt, dust, and other debris before they can enter your HVAC system and spread throughout your home. You should change your filter every 60 to 90 days, but if you use your system more often than usual or live with people who require higher indoor air quality, you may need to replace it more often.

Forgetting to change your AC filter can cause it to clog quickly and block airflow. This could make your system work harder, overheat, and blow hot air.

Problem #3: Frozen Evaporator Coils

Your AC system needs a balanced flow of warm and cool air to work properly. If a dirty filter blocks airflow, the warm atmosphere in your house won’t reach the evaporator coils. Without the proper balance of warm and cold air passing over them, the coils will freeze. If you ignore this problem long enough, ice will start to build up and restrict the airflow even more.

The refrigerant inside the coils absorbs heat, but when ice covers the coils, they can’t do their job. With no heat being removed, you’ll end up with your AC blowing hot air until the evaporator coils thaw out.

Problem #4: Blocked or Closed Return Vents

Dirty filters aren’t the only thing that can block airflow to your HVAC system. A closed or blocked return vent can also keep warm air from reaching the evaporator coils. When that happens, the coils can freeze just like they would with a clogged filter.

Check all the return vents in your home to make sure they are open and unobstructed. If you find a blocked vent, it might be a good time to rearrange the furniture.

Problem #5: Low Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant is a liquid that circulates through pipes in your home and absorbs heat. If you’ve already ruled out the other problems we’ve covered so far and you’re still dealing with your AC blowing hot air, it could be a refrigerant leak. 

It’s important to note that refrigerant leaks are dangerous. If you notice higher humidity levels or a chemical smell, turn off your AC unit immediately and call a professional to come safely repair the refrigerant leak.