Is your portable AC not cooling, and you have no idea why? Then don’t worry, because, in this guide, we will be providing you with the causes and solutions to why your Portable AC not cooling. You can roll the portable AC anywhere in the house, including the kitchen, bedroom, or living room. For the sweltering summer months, having a portable air conditioner is key. Under conditions of moderate external heat, portable AC can only adequately chill the room. Your portable unit will struggle to keep up if the temperature outdoors is above 95°F, especially if it has a single hose and relies on chilled air to remove heat.
If a portable AC not cooling, the room is not sealed properly, or the air conditioner is unclean. If your line has a clog or is not draining properly, your AC could stop cooling.
Why Portable Ac Not Cooling
The Room Is Very Humid
You will need to clear out your portable AC unit more frequently to account for increased moisture absorption in a humid climate or if you reside in one. By providing a bucket for an extra liquid to travel, installing a drain tube can help prevent this issue. It is simple to empty this bucket as needed.
The Unit Is Too Small For Your Space
Its size is crucial for a portable air conditioner to cool a space effectively. Size here refers to the unit’s potential cooling power rather than its actual physical dimensions. The BTU rating of a portable Ac must match the size of the room it is intended to cool. Portable air conditioners are rated in terms of BTUs.
Too many BTUs in a unit will cause it to cycle off too quickly, which is a problem. On the other hand, a unit with insufficient BTUs lacks the strength required to affect the surrounding temperature. Choose the higher option if your room’s ideal BTU rating is doubtful.
Taking measurements of the room’s length and width is the first step. Calculate the area of the area using these figures, and then match the room’s size to the appropriate unit. In similar circumstances, different BTUs are needed depending on the purpose of identically sized rooms.
For instance, a server room can become hot because it continuously generates heat. As a result, maintaining a cool environment requires more energy, especially when numerous servers or computers are crammed into a small space.
Your Unit Is Dirty
To avoid dust and dirt, portable AC units need to be cleaned frequently. Until it is cleaned, a dirty appliance is no longer functional. Even the smallest particles have the potential to combine and form a harmful layer on your unit’s motor, clogging up the entire system. You might consequently experience mechanical and electrical issues. To avoid these problems, keep up with routine cleaning and maintenance.
Your unit’s filters might also be clogged and need to be replaced. Filters can last longer before needing to be replaced if cleaned frequently. Avoid using detergents or soaps to clean filters because they leave behind residue that can clog the system.
Another crucial area you shouldn’t forget to clean is the pre-filter on your unit. If layers of dust and dirt build up on the pre-filter, they will combine with moisture and form a layer of dirt on the evaporator coil. The entire unit will eventually overheat if this buildup is allowed to persist.
The Room Is Not Properly Sealed
Your portable AC not cooling because the ambient temperature is too high. The hot air from the compressor is vented outside when a portable unit blows cool air into the space. Constant venting causes a pressure imbalance, which draws warm air from nearby or outside spaces.
It shouldn’t overtax the AC to the point where it stops working if the area is properly sealed and ventilated and all doors and windows are shut. Your unit might be unable to combat leaks or dangerously high ambient temperatures to cool the room.
Try closing windows and blinds to reduce heat because sunlight entering through windows can significantly raise temperatures. Look for any cracks, leaks, or broken windows or doors to see if any of these things might be the source of the problem.
How Can You Repair Your Portable AC Unit When It’s Not Cooling?
You might need to consider other portable air conditioner repairs that require more labor in addition to some of the easiest adjustments you can perform.
The exhaust line will need to be vented in the first one. To effectively chill your room, the portable AC unit must correctly exhaust hot air. A damaged exhaust pipe may be blamed if your portable air conditioner is blowing cold air but not cooling the space. The hot air may be recirculated back into your room by a leak in your exhaust line.
Repairing The Drainage Line
Your AC might stop cooling if your line is clogged or is not draining properly. Even the system’s coils could start to become frozen.
It is best to turn off your portable AC unit to find the drainage line. If you can separate the line from the portable unit, you can use a water hose to flush out the obstruction. To remove any material that may be in the drainage line, you can also use a vacuum.
To remove any hard debris that may be stuck inside the drain line, insert a fine brush into the line. To remove loose particles from the line, switch on your vacuum after that. Using either of these two techniques should help you repair your drainage line.
Check The Condensate Tank
To remove condensate buildup, every AC unit needs a drainage line. If you have a portable air conditioner, you might also have a condensate tank. In this situation, you can notice water dripping into your home from the cooling system. The water may start to seep into the floors, which could lead to decaying wood, which can be a hassle.
You can empty your condensate tank outside your house if you have one. Before emptying the tank, however, be careful to shut off and disconnect your portable air conditioner completely.
Get a container that can hold the water the tank is about to release next. Placing the portable air conditioner on a flat surface will allow you to drain the water.
Repairing Frozen Coils
Several factors can lead to frozen coils. The air filter should be one of the first items examined. A clogged air filter may prevent airflow, resulting in a frozen coil and obstructing the passage of cold air.
Additionally, the coil itself can be soiled or possibly have rust inside the coil system. This can make it more difficult to move chilly air into your home and exchange heat. Therefore, the cold will remain in the coils and eventually freeze.
Finally, there’s a chance that the line contains a refrigerant leak. However, buying a new portable AC unit would be more affordable than having one repaired.
Your Portable Air Conditioner Won’t Stop Running
A portable air conditioner that runs but won’t stop is at the other end of the spectrum. The AC runs non-stop, even if your room is chilly.
This situation usually results from a problem with the control board or a sensor. Electronic controllers in modern air conditioners turn on the various AC components. The control board uses relays to supply electricity to the fan and compressor. When the AC is not needed, it may continue to run if the control board malfunctions.
If your portable AC compressor or fan continues to run after the setpoint temperature has been reached, there may be a problem with the control board, a relay, or a temperature sensor.
You could try turning the AC off as one option. When the AC is turned off, if the fan or compressor continues to run, there may be a problem with the control board or a relay. The temperature sensor is probably the problem if everything shuts off.
Your air conditioner may continue to run if the temperature sensor malfunctions and provides the control board with a false reading.
As an illustration, the AC continues to operate when the setpoint temperature is 80 degrees, and the room temperature is 70 degrees. In this case, the temperature sensor may generate a false value greater than 80 degrees, which keeps the AC running.
Unfortunately, parts like temperature sensors, relays, and electronic control boards are typically not serviceable by the average person. Consult your AC’s owner’s manual or service manual for instructions if you believe one of these parts needs to be replaced.
Consider that some portable air conditioners continue to run their fan even after the setpoint temperature has been reached. In this situation, test out your portable AC’s various modes to see if it will turn off when your room temperature reaches the preset level. Run the AC in “Eco Mode” so the fan turns off when the setpoint temperature is reached.
Conclusion On Portable AC Not Cooling
When a portable AC not cooling, it can be very disappointing, especially if you walk into your house, apartment, or room on a hot day and discover it is uncomfortably warm. A qualified technician must examine the unit because it might be broken.
It might be best to get a new one at this point. However, other possible reasons for your portable AC not cooling do not call for professional assistance or a new unit to be purchased.
While some repairs are simple enough for you to handle on your own, you might want to have a specialist on hand to assist with the more complicated issues.