| Portable Air
Conditioner Troubleshooting
See Efficient Portable ACs
Properly working heating and cooling systems are
integral aspects of a comfortable home or workplace, and during the
summer months, a malfunctioning air conditioning system will leave
you sweltering in the heat. Unfortunately, many problems associated
with more complicated cooling systems can stem from flawed
installation, poor service, or insufficient maintenance, but if you
encounter a problem with your portable AC, rest assured that because
it's a self-contained unit, it's easy to operate, maintain, and yes,
even troubleshoot.
In the event that your portable air condition fails to work
properly, getting your unit to work is usually a matter of making a
few simple repairs. To troubleshoot your portable air conditioner,
see if any of these situations apply to you and follow these simple
tips:
|
My portable
air conditioner isn't providing enough cooling. |
|
Keep in mind that portable air conditioners are ideal
for supplemental cooling or used to cool a small area such as a
bedroom or living room. Because they exhaust room air as
they cool, they will usually not be as efficient as a window
unit of comparable cooling capacity. With that said, two primary factors can
contribute to inadequate cooling: an incorrectly-sized
portable AC and extreme ambient temperatures.
Portable ACs are primarily sized by BTU ratings, and if your
portable AC has the wrong BTU rating for your particular
area, cooling efficiency will be affected. Too high of a BTU
rating will cause the unit to cycle off too quickly, while a
low BTU rating will not adequately cool.
On the other hand, the ambient temperature can also be a
contributing factor to insufficient cooling. The exhausting
of room air and the resultant need for replacement air from
uncooled areas (such as the outdoors) will make it difficult
for the portable AC to make headway as it struggles to lower
the temperature of the room. Furthermore, other factors such
as excessive sunlight or low ambient temperatures can also
hinder cooling.
|
 Portable Air
Conditioner Buying Tip: |
| To learn how to properly size a
portable AC,
Click Here. If you'd like to know how
to maximize your portable AC's efficiency,
Click Here.
|
| My portable
AC won't start. |
There are a few causes that could prevent a
portable AC from operating, and these primarily stem from
power problems. Start by making sure the power cord is
plugged in correctly and check to see that the cord itself
isn't damaged. Also check the wall plug and circuit breaker.
Try resetting the circuit at the breaker box, or even change
the socket or outlet. If any of these steps fail to resolve
the problem, take the portable air conditioner to a
qualified electrician and have the fuse replaced.
|
| My portable
air conditioner stops operating on its own. |
Check to make sure the timer is not on because an active
timer could be causing the unit to cease operation. Also, if
the ambient temperature in your room is lower than the set
temperature, this could be causing your portable air
conditioner to shut off. To remedy this, wait for the room
temperature to rise until operating the unit. |
| My portable
AC won't cool. |
A portable air conditioner may not cool for several
reasons. Check the filter by removing the unit's grill and clean the
filter. Also check for clogs in the evaporator or condenser
coils by light vacuuming. Make sure the evaporator isn't
frosted over, but if it is, allow it to defrost and normal
operation should resume. Lastly, as mentioned above, ensure
the ambient temperature is lower than your AC's set
temperature, as this can prevent cooling. However, if all of
these steps fail to resolve your problem, the fan motor may
be blown or the compressor may be malfunctioning, and in
these cases, seek the help of a professional. |
| No cool air
will come out of my portable air conditioner when it's in
dehumidification mode. |
This can result from excess frost on the evaporator or
on the coils. Allow the evaporator to defrost and normal
operation will most likely resume. However, if there is ice
buildup on the coils, this can often be prevented by
cleaning the air filters. |
| My portable
air conditioner has insufficient airflow. |
If water appears in the tank but your unit isn't cooling, as
mentioned above, the cooling coil could be frozen. Most
airflow problems are due to dirty filters, but the frozen coil could be a result of a low
refrigerant charge. If this happens to be the case, a
professional will need to correct the refrigerant charge. |
Portable Cooler Guide Main Page |
