If you’re worried about your AC blowing hot air, the first step is to diagnose the cause of the problem. The leading cause of AC failure is faulty electrical connections or a burnt-out actuator motor. The actuator gears, usually made of plastic, can slip or grind. A noise emanating from the dashboard may also indicate a malfunctioning AC actuator.
Dirty air filters
If you’re experiencing hot air coming from your car’s AC, you might want to check your car’s air filters for clogging. These filters are responsible for separating heat and allowing the air conditioner to cool the cabin. When your car’s air filter is dirty, it can lead to several problems. For one, hot air will affect the performance of the AC system, causing the engine to run slower and consume more energy.
In addition to blocking the airflow, dirty air filters also block the unit from cooling the cabin properly. Not only will your AC unit run poorly, but it may also cause a short circuit. Changing your air filter can help keep your air conditioning system running efficiently and save you money on repair bills.
Additionally, dirty air filters may promote allergies. The dirt, dust, and other allergens build up inside the air filter and are released into the air. Having a pet may cause a dirty air filter. Furthermore, the dirty filter can also collect moisture, resulting in mold growth, a severe health hazard.
If you’ve experienced this problem in the past, you should contact your mechanic. While cabin air filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, the condenser and compressor are more expensive. If these components are not cleaned regularly, they will cause the AC to blow hot air.
Leaking refrigerant
Leaking refrigerant can lead to your car’s air conditioning system blowing hot air. A leak may be small or large and is not always easy to detect. However, you can spot leaks by checking for a peculiar odor, poor airflow, and oil residue.
Leaks usually occur when the connecting pipes are old or punctured. It is also common if the lines are not secured in place. A leaking refrigerant will evaporate somewhere, so you need to detect the leak promptly to prevent any damage. Depending on your system type, you can use a UV dye or charge the system with dye to identify the leak.
You can also check for a leak by checking the level of Freon in the system. If it is low, your car’s AC will not cool properly. The low level of Freon may also cause the AC to blow hot air. If you notice a leak, make sure you replace the hoses and reconnect the compressor.
If you are worried about your health, take your car to a mechanic and have the system checked. It is important to note that car air conditioning is electrically powered, so any malfunction in the electrical system could shut down the entire system.
Dirty condenser
If you’re tired of your car AC blowing hot air, you should check your car’s condenser. If it’s dirty, it’s likely to cause your car’s air conditioning to malfunction. It’s a small but essential part of your car’s air conditioning system. Dirty condensers can affect the efficiency of your AC and can also cause fuel mileage issues.
You can quickly check the condenser’s condition by pulling the grill. If you see a leak, there’s a good chance that it’s dirty. In this case, you need to replace the condenser or have it repaired. In some cases, you can even fix the wires with electrical tape, but in most cases, you need to replace the condenser itself.
The condenser re-cools the hot refrigerant that’s compressed in the AC system. The condenser works by using airflow to cool down the refrigerant. But, if the condenser is dirty or clogged with debris, it will be unable to do its job. As a result, your car’s air conditioning will only blow hot air, resulting in a hot car interior.
