Why Is My Portable Air Conditioner Not Cold?

There are specific reasons why people during the scorching summer months choose to purchase portable air conditioning systems over window units. Some simply do not have enough space to house a larger and semi-permanent-type unit. There are also those people whose tight budgets preclude the purchase of more traditional and expensive, portable air conditioners. By practicing proper maintenance, a consumer can be assured they will have years of trouble-free operation.

Recommended maintenance for portable air conditioner units is generally very simple. However, care should be taken to ensure that all the manufacturer’s routine care guidelines are followed carefully.

What to do when an AC unit stops working

As with the simple rules for maintenance, there are a couple of things you need to check out if your air conditioner starts malfunctioning. The following troubleshooting tips are helpful to keep in mind as necessary initial steps you can take when trying to determine why your unit is not operating correctly.

Check the interior hardware

If your air conditioner is blowing air but not cooling the room, you should try cleaning or replacing the filter. Clogs are a common problem that arises when dirt and dust accumulate on the grill and block air flow through the unit.

The evaporator coils and condenser should also be checked out and lightly scrubbed with warm, soapy water until all clogs are removed.

Also, make sure to clean the unit’s filter regularly at the manufacturer’s suggested intervals. There are some types of air conditioner with filters that can be taken out of the compartment and cleaned. A simple immersion in a solution of mild soap and water is usually quite sufficient.

Always rinse the filter well and thoroughly dry it out before returning it to the unit. Non-washable filters need to be replaced periodically according to whatever instructions are provided by the manufacturer.

Keep the exterior clean

The next task essential to any unit’s care-free service is regular cleaning of the AC unit’s exterior surface, where dust and dirt particles can accumulate. This will inevitably clog up the blades and other parts until it will not work correctly due to reduced airflow.

Exterior cleaning is simply accomplished when the unit is shut off by regular cleansing of the housing with a clean, soft cloth. The use of any harsh or abrasive chemicals should be avoided.

Keep it out of the sun

The last basic rule for care and maintenance for a portable air conditioner is to keep it out of the sun. The heat generated by the sun’s rays can change the surface color in no time at all. Therefore, keeping the exterior color in optimum condition requires placing the unit in a place permanently shaded from the sun, like in a window covered by an awning.

If the air conditioner does not turn on at all, check first to make sure that it is properly plugged in. You can also check corresponding wall outlets and corresponding circuit breakers. If these efforts fail to produce results, it’s time to call a HVAC service technician. If an air conditioner unit is on but does not blow any air could signal a severe problem with your system that needs to be evaluated by a professional.