AC Heat Mode Isn’t Working: Why And How To Fix It?

by HVAC Contributor October 21, 2022, 8:00 am 1.3k Views

As a homeowner, you could have observed that the heat mode on your air conditioner isn’t working, but you might be unsure of what’s wrong and how to fix it.

There are a number of reasons why an AC’s heat mode might not function. The following are potential causes of your AC’s malfunctioning heat mode:

False setting
Unclean air filter
Circuit breaker failure

Without a professional’s assistance, this issue can be resolved quickly. To learn more specific details that will assist you in resolving AC heat mode issues, keep reading.

What Could Be The Problem If My AC’s Heat Mode Isn’t Working?

The failure of your AC’s heat mode could be caused by issues with one of its many components. Not all air conditioners offer both cool and heat modes. Some of them are made expressly to cool your house.

Therefore, if your AC has a heat mode but doesn’t seem to be working well, you should thoroughly inspect it to identify the problem. Your AC’s heat mode may not operate as it should due to the following factors:

False Setting

There won’t be any heat function if your air conditioner isn’t in the heat mode. Therefore, the first thing you should do if you notice that your heat mode isn’t functioning is check your setting.

Unclean Air Filter

The failure of your AC’s heat mode could be caused by a filthy air filter. Check the filter for any debris that might be impeding airflow if your heat mode isn’t working properly.

Circuit Breaker Failure

Your AC circuit breaker could become damaged by a high current flow. You can contact an electrician to examine the circuit breaker to determine whether it is the cause of the issue if the AC heat mode isn’t working.

How Can I Tell If the Heat Mode On My AC Isn’t Working?

If your unit no longer warms your house when it is turned on, your AC heat mode isn’t working. Simply turn on your appliance during chilly weather and wait for 30 to 60 minutes to see if the heat mode is functioning or not.

Then, to determine whether the room has warmed up, check its temperature. There is a good chance that your AC unit is having trouble if the temperature doesn’t transition from chilly to warm.

How Do I Turn My AC On For Heat?

You must use the thermostat or remote to set your AC unit to a minimum temperature before switching it to the heat mode. The ambient temperature will rise as a result.

You might need to raise the AC temperature a little bit to feel warmer. Depending on how chilly your room is, this. Depending on how hot you want it, you can change your heat mode to either high or low. Ensure your system is in heating mode by performing the following:

Heat Up Your System

Do not leave your unit on Auto mode if you want your house to heat up.

Intensify The Temperature

For the heating to function properly, your AC should be set at a temperature that is higher than usual. To save energy, it is advised to configure your system for heating at 68°F (20°C), albeit the heat pump may not operate at this temperature.

If necessary, you can raise the temperature to roughly 75°F (24°C) or even higher.

Alter The Fan’s Speed

Your AC unit should not be left in automatic mode. Depending on what you desire, adjust the fan’s speed and direction.

How Long Does It Take For An AC To Get Hot In The Heat Mode?

Up to four minutes pass after turning on the heat mode before a device begins to blow hot air. The fan must switch from blowing cold air to warm air for this reason. Before the air conditioner warms up and starts to circulate the hot air across a room, this does not occur.

Air conditioners that have heaters also have thermostats, allowing the heater to be controlled to the perfect temperature. These air conditioners provide warm air. Finally, the inverter compressor loses pressure and ceases functioning.

The internal fan turns off when the inner unit cools to stop air from entering. When the temperature drops, the air conditioner begins to heat up once more. As a result, the condenser will begin to cool and the evaporator will begin to heat up in the air conditioner. The heated air dehumidifies a confined area to keep it warm during the winter.

Should I leave the AC Fan On Or Should I Have It On Automatic?

The fan can be controlled by your thermostat in one of two ways: Auto or On. Leaving your fan on automatic will save you a lot of electricity. If your fan is set to Auto, moisture may drip outside and move out.

Auto Mode

The Auto is another name for Automatic. Only when cooling or heating is needed does the fan come on. It then shuts off after the task is complete.

The air conditioner, which turns off from hot as it reaches the appropriate temperature, which is normally between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius, is therefore in charge of controlling the Auto. The size of the room, however, may prevent this temperature from being dispersed uniformly throughout the space, creating hot and cold areas throughout your home.

Mode On

When your system is not cooling or heating the air, the fan is always running in the On Mode. Until it is switched off, the fan continues to blow heated air. You can attain the desired temperature in this manner.

To lessen the strain on the air conditioner, it is advised that you activate the On mode with a timer attached. Depending on what you want, this may occur. You can select the On mode if you want the entire house to be completely heated, but Automatic would be a better choice if you only want a moderate amount of heat throughout the house.

How Can I Stop AC Heat Mode From Failing?

There are certain things you can do to stop problems with your AC heat mode from arising. Your air conditioner needs regular maintenance in order to last longer. Here are a few examples:

Replace Or Clean Your Ar Filter

Cleaning or replacing the air filter on your air conditioner once every thirty days is a good thing you can do for it. By filtering the air, the air filter aids in stopping dirt and other pollutants from entering your home. Therefore, you should keep it tidy. The task of cleaning your air filter is simple.

Clean The Coil

When an AC coil is not properly cleaned, it may become blocked, which can lead to malfunctions. It is best to maintain it tidy. Failure to do so could result in issues that reduce the AC unit’s lifespan.

Purge The Condenser Fan

An essential component of an AC unit is the condenser fan. Your air conditioner’s effectiveness could be impacted if it is not properly maintained. If you hear a peculiar sound coming from the fan, you should visit an expert. However, if the issue has not yet reached that stage, you can just clean the fans.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using AC In Heat Mode

Although it is advantageous to have an air conditioner that can both chill and heat your home, there are a few disadvantages to utilizing an air conditioner in the heat mode.

Advantages Of Using An AC In Heat Mode

The advantages of utilizing an air conditioner in the hot mode include the following:

They could warm your house.
When compared to other AC units, they don’t consume a lot of electricity.
They work well.

Disadvantages Of Using The Heat Mode On The AC

While air conditioners with heat modes perform more tasks than conventional air conditioners, there are some drawbacks associated with them. These are a few:

They are pricey.
They are expensive to maintain.
They require ongoing care.

Conclusion

All you need to do is check your system’s settings if you see that the AC heat mode is not functioning. Additionally, because the issue is probably coming from one of these locations—faulty circuit breakers or clogged air filters—you should check for them.