If your AC is blowing hot air one minute and cold air the next, it can be frustrating, to say the least. Before you call an air conditioning repair service, there are a few potential causes you should check first. This blog post covers common reasons for an AC unit to experience erratic temperatures, as well as what an air conditioning repair service can do to fix them:

1. The Evaporator Coil is Freeze-Dried

One of the most common reasons for an AC unit to blow hot air is because the evaporator coil has frozen over. When this happens, it's usually because there's not enough airflow over the coil.

To fix this problem, the AC technician needs to increase the airflow by doing things like checking the air filter, clearing any debris from around the unit, and making sure there are no blockages in the ductwork. If they still can't increase the airflow enough, they may need to replace the evaporator coil.

2. The Condenser is Dirty or Blocked

Another common cause of erratic AC temperatures is a dirty or blocked condenser. The condenser is responsible for releasing heat from the refrigerant, so if it's dirty or blocked, it won't be able to do its job properly. To fix this problem, the AC repair technician needs to clean or replace the condenser.

3. The Thermostat is Set Incorrectly

If your AC unit is blowing hot air, it could also be because the thermostat is set incorrectly. First, check to make sure that the thermostat is set to "cool." Then, check the temperature setting and make sure it's set correctly for your needs.

If neither of these things solves the problem, the air conditioning repair service will test it electronically to check for power and calibration faults. If the faults are extensive, they may need to replace the unit.

4. The Refrigerant is Leaking

When refrigerant leaks out of the system, it can cause a loss of cooling power, which can make your AC unit blow hot air. To fix this problem, you'll need to have a professional service technician add more refrigerant to the system. They will also need to first find and repair the leak so that it doesn't happen again in the future.

5. There's a Problem With the Compressor

If there's a problem with the compressor, it can cause your AC unit to blow either hot or cold air, depending on what stage of operation it's in.

In most cases, though, a problem with the compressor will cause your AC unit to blow warm air all of the time. To fix this problem, the ac repair technician will inspect and repair or replace the compressor as necessary.