Why would my central A/C unit blow warm air inside the house and cold air outside?

Question

Just got home from a 2 day trip. Came home to a burning plastic smell in the house. AC was running, but house was warm. Turned the thermostat down a bit (it was set on 77 which usually keeps it comfortable for me, but it was reading 78 in the house). I turned it down to 75. Next thing I know house feels even hotter, and it's up to 79. Vents are blowing lukewarm air into the house. I went outside to check the unit and it was blowing very cold air OUTSIDE and making a funny whirring noise. I turned the unit off at the thermostat, turned off the breaker to the AC for a little bit, turned it back on. Same problem again.

I just had the unit serviced a month or two ago, freon was fine, no problems. They cleaned out the unit and whatever else they do to maintain it.

Any ideas what it could be? Anything I could fix myself (single female homeowner with little mechanical know-how). Could something have overheated (we've had very mild temps here last few days, high of 80 or so, lows in the 50's)? Could that explain the burning plastic smell? (I checked all my outlets and it's only in the 2 rooms next to where the outside ac unit is located). Could just turning it off for a day or so help? I'm a single mom and really can't afford an expensive repair bill or I'd have called someone in already.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I don't know if this is possible, but it sounds like the compressor is pumping the freon backwards through the system so the cold coils are outside and the hot coils are inside.  Maybe when the unit was serviced last the repairman accidentally reversed the wiring to the compressor.  Since it was the serviceman's mistake, they shouldn't charge you for the repair.  I would call the same company that did the last check and tell them about the problem.  If you call a different company to fix it, you will be charged for all repairs.

Baldrick · Answer

It kind of sounds like you have a thermostat problem.

If you have a heat pump as heating instead of heating elements, it might be acting backwards.

If you smelled burning plastic, it may have been something shorting in the thermostat.

Thermostats are an easy fix, copy down the specs on your thermostat (probably on the back) and go to your nearest DYI store for help.

? · Answer

oftentimes at the same time as they commence blowing warmth, it really is low on freon, even if it would not oftentimes artwork high-quality sometime and provides you up the subsequent. you'll likely might want to get a superb heating and aircon shop over to seem at it even if, it would not sound like a doityourself restoration notwithstanding the priority is. Oh, and also you're literally not in all risk to get a better answer in this kind, it really is autos & Transportation > upkeep & upkeep

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Why would my central A/C unit blow warm air inside the house and cold air outside?

3 Answers