The main reason you invest in an air conditioner in Singapore is to enjoy a cooler living environment, especially with the city’s hot and humid weather all year round. If your AC starts blowing hot air, it can be both frustrating and uncomfortable.
Aircon blowing hot air can happen due to a wide variety of reasons, and fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to resolve the issue yourself.
Why is My Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?
When your air conditioner starts blowing hot air, it can quickly disrupt your comfort, especially in Singapore’s warm and humid climate. Here are some of the common reasons why your air conditioner suddenly blows hot air!
Clogged Air Filters
Dirty air filters can hinder airflow, preventing your air conditioner from cooling effectively. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris accumulate on the filter, which can not only compromise cooling but also increase energy consumption.
How to solve this?
We always advise our clients to clean or replace their air filters once every month at the very least. This is the best way to ensure the air conditioner is in tip-top condition. You can turn off the aircon remove the filter, and afterward wash it with mild soap and water. After the filter dries completely, you can reinstall it.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is a very crucial substance when it comes to the cooling capabilities of your air conditioner. It absorbs humidity and heat from the air and allows cooled air to infiltrate your living space. Low refrigerant levels mean that your air conditioner will be unable to cool down the air that goes into the unit, resulting in warm air being blown out.
We often find refrigerant leaks that cause the air conditioner to blow hot air in our clients who have older air conditioner units.
How to solve this?
Having an air conditioner at home means that you have to ensure its maintenance properly. By having regular servicing, you can detect and fix refrigerant issues early.
Thermostat Settings
When your air conditioner is blowing out hot air, the issue could be as simple as the wrong thermostat settings. A thermostat allows you to control the settings temperature of your air conditioner, and setting it at too high a temperature could cause warm air.
How to solve this?
Always double-check thermostat settings, especially after a power outage or routine cleaning. Set the thermostat to "Cool" mode and adjust the temperature to your desired level. Don’t forget to replace the thermostat batteries if needed.
Do keep in mind, while it may be tempting to set your thermostat to the lowest setting due to Singapore's hot and humid climate, it’s best to not do this as this can cause your air conditioner to overwork and lead to wear and tear.
Frozen or Dirty Coils
Whether covered in ice or dirt and debris, blocked evaporator coils can impede your air conditioner’s performance and efficiency. Evaporator coils are crucial components in the overall cooling process of your unit, and any blockages will result in reduced effectiveness. The air won’t be able to properly flow through your unit, so it won’t be cooled down as it should.
How to solve this?
Turn off the aircon and allow the coils to thaw completely. You can clean the coils with a soft brush or a coil cleaner. We always advise our clients to clean the coils every six months during routine service.
Blocked Outside Unit
Outdoor units can easily get blocked by debris like leaves, twigs, or dirt, reducing airflow and cooling capacity. However, when enough buildup and debris start blocking the airflow, it can cause some issues. All of this debris can stick to the outdoor unit and prevent air from flowing easily. Not only will this push your air conditioner to work harder, resulting in higher electricity bills, but it’ll also mess with your cooling comfort.
How to solve this?
Regularly check and clear the area around your outdoor unit. One of our clients reported better cooling after clearing leaves that had accumulated around their condenser unit. You can simply use a hose to clean the outdoor unit and remove any visible debris.
Malfunctioning Compressor
The compressor plays a significant role in the operation of your air conditioner, compressing the refrigerant and maintaining the optimal temperature for the evaporator coil. Any issues or malfunctioning with the compressor will mean that the hot air isn’t being let out of your unit. When this happens, the evaporator coil won’t be cold enough to perform properly, resulting in less desirable results.
How to solve this?
Schedule annual inspections to check the health of your compressor. Contact our certified technician—we will be able to handle any of your aircon issues up to the compressor.
Clogged Drain Line
The drain line is responsible for releasing the condensation that your air conditioner naturally produces during the cooling process, but certain issues may arise when this line is clogged, resulting in your unit’s poor cooling performance. When the drain line gets clogged, the moisture has nowhere to go, which means that it will stay inside your air conditioner and lead to inefficient cooling.
How to solve this?
Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out debris from the drain line. If the blockage persists, contact us for proper handling. Guaranteed our trusted technician can flush the line more thoroughly!
Fan Problems
Malfunctioning fans, whether in the indoor or outdoor unit, can result in poor airflow and warm air circulation.
How to solve this?
Turn off the aircon and check the fan blades for dirt, damage, or misalignment. Clean or repair them as needed. If the fan motor is malfunctioning, contact a technician for replacement.
Improper Maintenance of Unit
Singapore’s humid climate demands regular aircon maintenance to ensure optimal performance, otherwise it can lead to multiple issues, including the unit blowing hot air. This often happens, because naturally, homeowners in Singapore put their AC on blast to combat the hot weather.
How to solve this?
It’s important to schedule professional aircon service once every 3-6 months. Engaging with reliable aircon servicing can ensure your unit gets a thorough and proper cleaning.
Blocked or Closed Return Vent
Another common reason that happens amongst our clients which causes warm air to blow out from the air conditioner is a blocked or closed return vent. When the vent is blocked, the air won’t be able to circulate and instead get trapped in the system. This will result in the warm air blowing into your house, preventing proper cooling.
How to solve this?
Clear any obstructions near the return vent to allow proper airflow. Make sure the vent is fully open and unobstructed.
The Takeaway
It can be stressful when your air conditioner isn’t working properly and blowing out hot air rather than cold air, but there’s no need to worry. Once you identify the cause of the issue, it’ll be much easier to fix the problem and resume your cooling experience.
But if no matter what you do the problem persists, it’s best to contact our technicians at Luce Aircon. With decades of experience in cleaning, maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing air conditioners across Singapore, our HVAC professionals can keep your unit in tip-top condition!
