Why Is My Portable AC Blowing Hot Air?

In summer, when the temperature is not so high, most people prefer a portable AC to a regular one. Most portable AC units are easy to set up, affordable, and easy to move from one place to another. Unlike most common Air conditioners, a portable one usually has a shorter warranty policy and they are more prone to face different functional issues. Indeed, it is very common that the AC is blowing hot air.

Now, the question is why is the portable AC blowing hot air? There can be a lot of reasons regarding its setting, surroundings, and functions that cause it to blow hot air. It is true that you may not fix all the issues, but if the issues are related to the functions or the surroundings, you can fix them.

However, to fix the unit or understand whether it is possible to fix it on your own or to call a professional is not possible if you don’t know the reason. That’s why, your first duty is to learn the basic reasons why a portable AC unit blows hot air. To learn everything about the facts, you can spend a few minutes in this discussion. Let’s begin.

Reasons Why My Portable AC Blowing Hot Air

We can divide the reasons why your portable AC blows hot air into two different groups. Here the first group will tell you about the reasons that are associated with setting and atmosphere issues while the second group is all about the functional issues. 

Issues Regarding Settings and Atmosphere

In this group, almost all the issues are easy to solve. Usually, you need to try troubleshooting Solutions in these cases.

Incorrect Temperature Settings

Sometimes, the temperature is not appropriate and that’s why the machine produces hot air. It can happen when the remote gets an accidental press and the temperature level becomes higher. So, you should simply set the air conditioner to the desired cooling mode. Also, the temperature set in the unit should be lower than the current room temperature. So, when your portable AC is blowing hot air, the first thing you should check is the level of temperature.

Clogged Filter

Sometimes, the portable air conditioners become overheated. And it results in blowing hot air. Usually, it happens when the air filters of the unit are full of junk and debris, collected from the surroundings. In this case, you need to clean the filter and free it up from all the debris. Remember that if the filter is somehow clogged, it can obstruct airflow and that can lead to overheating. This is the same reason you should keep your room clean and dry so that excessive debris from the surroundings can’t clog the filter.

The AC Unit Is Overheated Itself

Sometimes, the unit itself becomes overheated because of external reasons and heating sources. And it simply ends up browsing hot air. If your AC unit is near a heat source like a heater, burner, or under direct sunlight, the entire can overheat.

In this case, the unit can blow hot air even if the temperature is lower. That’s why, you should check the placement of the unit. Make sure that it is not placed near any heat sources, like direct sunlight, electronics, or other appliances.

Improper Ventilation

Proper ventilation is no doubt very crucial for any type of portable air conditioner to work effectively. If the exhaust hose is somehow installed correctly, it can result in the recirculation of hot air back into your room. Sometimes, the hose can be twisted or blocked completely. And that can cause the same problem. 

So, it’s very important to check the exhaust hose connection and placement. it needs to be vented to the outside properly as well. It will help the unit have a seamless airflow and ensure blowing cooler air. Remember, a well-ventilated air conditioner is a happy air conditioner!

Obstruction in the Air Intake System

As we all know, portable air conditioners intake outside air to filter and cool it and then release it. So, the air intake system is very essential in this case. But if you place the air pipe in a blocked place or there is a wall or any type of obstruction in front of the pipe, it can’t get enough air to intake. As a result, it can blow hot air.

Functional Issues

Now, let’s get introduced to the common functions issues of portable AC that result in blowing hot air. To solve these issues, you need to call a professional. These are the functional issues that can’t be easily solved by troubleshooting Solutions. Let’s check them out.

Compressor Problem

The most common functional problem of a portable AC is with its compressor. There can be different reasons a portable AC compressor can have issues. Sometimes, the compressor stops working because of the faulty relay, lugs, or capacitor. Besides, you shouldn’t forget that the compressor is a vital component of an air conditioning system that usually circulates refrigerant and facilitates the cooling process.

If the compressor is not functioning correctly, it can prevent the proper cooling of the refrigerant system. As a result, it can blow hot air. Also, a faulty compressor can produce strange noises like grinding, buzzing, or rattling sounds. These noises simply indicate internal damage or mechanical issues within the compressor.

Sometimes, a faulty compressor can draw excessive electrical current. And it results in causing the circuit breaker to trip or the unit to shut off unexpectedly. It can also cause blowing hot air. In such cases, you may not get any help from the troubleshooting Solutions. You will need to ask a mechanic or professional to fix the issue.

An Issue with the Blower Wheel

This is another functional issue you can face as a reason that causes your AC to blow hot air. Generally, the blower wheel and motor work together to circulate the air within the unit and expel it through the exhaust hose or vent. If either of these components is malfunctioning, it can affect the airflow and result in the air conditioner blowing hot air.

It can happen because of irregular air circulation that causes insufficiency of power to spin the blower wheel at the necessary speed. Also, the faulty blower can reduce airflow and finally cause the unit to blow hot air.

Issues in the Thermostat

A malfunctioned thermostat can also be a reason why a portable air conditioner blows hot air. As we all know, the function of the thermostat of a portable air conditioning unit is to sense the room temperature correctly. Also, it sends signals to the air conditioner on whether to cool or heat the air. If the thermostat stops working by any means, it will fail to detect the temperature accurately. 

Additionally, it can fail to send the correct signals to the air conditioner as well. As a result, it can end up producing air that is hotter than natural.

The Refrigerant Is not Working

Sometimes, the refrigerant in your portable AC may not work properly because of different internal functional issues. If it happens, the unit can blow hot air instead of cool air. Usually, a refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and transfers it outside. As a result, the AC cools the room as it removes all the hot air from the place. 

But for many different issues, the refrigerant can have a leakage, or the refrigerant levels are lower than usual. In such a case, the AC unit fails to effectively cool the air. Indeed, it can end up blowing hot air. Fixing the issue is relatively complicated.  We suggest you call a professional technician to fix the refrigerant.

Leakage in the Hose

Just like improper hose placement can cause air blockage, a small leakage can harm the entire process of the AC unit. The hose of the portable AC usually carries the hot air from the unit to the outside environment so that the existing air in the unit can be cooler. Because of a single leakage in the hose, the hot air inside it simply mixes with the cool air inside the unit. And that simply results in blowing warm air instead of cool air.

That’s why it is important to ensure that the hose is properly connected and sealed to prevent any leaks. Even if it blows hot air, you should check the hose to find the leakage. If you find a leakage, you may need to repair or replace the hose. Otherwise, your portable AC may not get back to its regular performance because of the hole in the hose.

So, these are the common causes why your portable AC is blowing hot Air. As you have seen, the issues in the first group are easy to solve. Indeed, I will share some troubleshooting solutions to fix those problems. But for most issues in the second group, you will need help from the professionals. So, the first thing you should do is to find out the exact reasons for the problem.

What to Do When A Portable AC Blows Hot Air?

Let me first clarify one thing: it is, most of the time, not possible to fix the portable issue when it blows only hot air. Unfortunately, in most cases, the problem is associated with internal functions like thermostats, compressors, or refrigerants. Still, there are a few initiatives you can take to troubleshoot the issue.

• First, check the temperature level and if it is too high, reset it immediately. Sometimes, there is unwanted press in the remote and that takes the temperature level too high.
• If the temperature level is all right, turn off the portable AC by unplugging it directly from the power source. And wait for a few minutes, then plug it back in to turn it on. The power cycle can sometimes resolve temporary glitches or malfunctions.
• After that, examine the place where the portable AC unit and the outside hose are placed. If there are any block spaces right in front of the hose, place them in an open space so that it can get access to clean air.
• Next, you should have a look over the external hose and make sure that it has no leakage. If it has a leakage, I wonder, if you might have to replace it with a new one. Also, recheck if the hose is installed and placed in the proper way.
• If none of the following methods work, bring out the filter from the unit. It can be clogged with a lot of debris and dirt. Clean it and reinstall it. 

Also, you should inspect the process of the compressor and make sure it is running at the natural speed. If you can hear the sound of a running compressor and the sound is normal, it must be all right. Otherwise, you might ask a professional for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

A portable AC is very useful when the summertime is shorter at your place. It is affordable, compact in size, and movable. But it can have issues more often than a regular air conditioner. Releasing hot air is such a common problem. It is true that you can’t fix the issue all the time, but if there is a problem regarding the setting, hose, and surroundings, you can possibly fix it. Otherwise, you need to call a professional.

Whether you fix the issue on your own or call a technician, you need to know the reason first. Reminding of the mentioned reasons, you can hopefully find exactly what is bothering the machine easily. Best of luck.