Why is my portable ac unit not getting cold enough?

One of the most effective ways to beat the heat this summer is with the help of an air conditioning unit, which can cool down a room quickly and effectively. It is possible that, like any other household appliance, you will run into difficulties while using your air conditioner and may need some pointers to get things back on track. Find simple solutions to the most common issues with your portable air conditioner at https://www.socool.sg/services/ .     

Mode setting:   

There are typically three modes available on air conditioners: “Cool,” “Fan” and “Dry”.  If you want your air conditioner to kick on, you will need to put it in “Cool” mode and lower the thermostat below the current room temperature. Also, if the system has been running for some time, it waits for a brief period after being turned on before beginning the cooling process.  

A full water tank:

Typically, a warning light will illuminate when the internal water tank is at capacity. This is typically the cause of unexpected AC shutdown accompanied by flashing lights and/or alarms. Move the air conditioner to a flat, drainable surface, like a patio lawn, and wheel it there. You could prop it up over a sink or toilet and have someone else remove the drain plug, but portable air conditioners weigh a lot.  For more information, go to https://www.socool.sg/. 

Clean the filters and coils::

If you have not cleaned your AC in a while, remove the filters and use a vacuum hose fitted with an attachment for a soft brush over the outer surfaces of both coils. Check out our article on air conditioner maintenance for additional details.

Ice on the evaporator coil:

Look at the evaporator coil on top of the air conditioner to see whether frost has formed and is blocking airflow while you inspect the filter. The accumulation is going to dissolve into the internal reservoir, but you can hasten the process by using the machine in fan mode rather than cool mode.

Make sure the thermostat is set correctly:

Also, make sure the setting on your portable air conditioner is low enough to produce coolness. If the room temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit but the thermostat is set at 80 degrees, the air conditioner will not turn on. If your air conditioner isn’t producing cool air, try turning down the thermostat as far as it will go.

Shut all the outside entrances and exits:

It will be impossible for your portable air conditioning system to efficiently cool the room if the doors and windows are open. If you periodically keep your windows and doors partially open, you increase the likelihood that hot air from the outside may enter your room.

Make sure that all of the windows and doors are shut so that the air that has been conditioned does not leak into the area that is not conditioned. Even the slightest of gaps in window frames and door frames can allow conditioned air to escape from a building.

Inspect the evaporator/cooling coils:

There are a number of potential reasons why your portable air conditioner is not producing cold air, one of which is the accumulation of frost on the cooling/evaporator coils. Initially, frost forms as water condense around the coils as a result of low temperature, this lowers the amount of air that can circulate through the system.

If ventilation is restricted, coils run the risk of freezing. Because of this, you should check sure there is no frost on the coils. Lastly, you need to check the evaporator coil to see whether it is dirty, and you should clean it if it is.