Q: “I have a portable air conditioner that is not keeping the room cool enough, what's wrong with it?” A portable AC unit can fail to properly cool off your space if it is not powerful enough, the room is not properly sealed, or the unit is dirty.
Change your filter – Dirty filters are often the culprit of poor AC performance. It adds resistance and reduces airflow. Make sure outside condenser coil is clean – clear of cottonwood and other debris. Clean out condensate drain lines – make sure they are clear of debris.
There are many reasons your AC might not be cooling your home properly. The solution could be as easy as flipping a switch on your thermostat, cleaning a dirty air filter, or clearing debris away from your outdoor unit. There are also more complex problems that may need the help of a professional.
The primary reason for an AC not cooling below 75 degrees is a dirty air filter. The air filter traps unwanted elements like dust, dirt, and debris, ensuring they don't reach the evaporator coil. In doing so, they may block the filter, causing your AC unit to malfunction.
A dirty air filter
Your air filter is designed to trap contaminants in the air before it gets pulled into the AC system. But over time that means that your filter gets dirty and clogged. And if a dirty filter isn't replaced, it can seriously limit your AC's cooling power.
Unlike car refrigerant, your AC should never need more Freon. The coils where it flows are an enclosed space, meaning that Freon shouldn't run out. The only way your AC can be low on Freon is if there is a leak in the system, so contact a professional if you believe your AC is leaking refrigerant.
While it usually isn't the case, sometimes low Freon is the cause of your AC troubles. Adding more Freon, however, still isn't the answer. AC units are not designed to lose or leak Freon, so if your air conditioner is in that condition, you have a bigger problem than a lack of cold air.
A blocked air outlet or intake could be causing the trouble. Check that the outlet/intake is free from blockage by furniture or any other objects that could be in their way. In rooms with large or multiple windows, sunlight streaming in can decrease the portable AC's cooling effectiveness.
Here's how long some of the most common types of AC last:
Portable AC — 5-10 years. Residential single whole-home AC unit — 15 years. Central air-source heat pumps — 15 years (and up to 20–25 years if well-maintained and in a well insulated home) Ductless mini-split AC systems (heat pumps) — 20 years.
Not only does cleaning help your portable air conditioner work more efficiently, but a clean appliance also keeps your family safer and uses less electricity. The good news is that cleaning your portable air conditioner isn't hard work -- you just need to remember to do it regularly.
Yes, vinegar mixed with water is often used to clean AC coils at home. However, vinegar is usually effective only against lighter dirt build-ups. Nevertheless, you can keep your coils in good shape by mixing white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spraying the mixture onto the coils.
Fortunately, all you need is some mild dishwashing detergent, white vinegar, plenty of warm distilled water, and a couple of spray bottles, as well as a soft bristle brush. Add a few drops of dishwashing detergent to a spray bottle filled with distilled water and spray the solution onto the evaporator coil.
How Long Can a Portable Air Conditioner Run Continuously? Though this answer may come as a surprise, there isn't any limit to how long you can keep your portable air conditioner running, as long as it's connected to a power source.
When to drain and how often to drain the portable air conditioner makes a customer confused. It depends on the humidity condition at your place. In general, portable air conditioners should be drained after every 8 hours. The frequency varies depending upon the model you own.
They're extremely low energy-efficiency.
If we just take the sample of an 8,000 BTU (250 square feet of cooling power) portable unit with a standard EER, we can expect the unit to consume between 900 and 1100 watts. That's like a microwave running 24-7!
Skip wasting energy on whole-house AC and just hook up a portable unit to that one stuffy room. 71°F does the trick for your home. It takes the edge off the heat without pushing the energy bill too high.
Part of the cooling process is removing humidity from the room. When first installed or after the unit has not been used in awhile, it is normal for the tank to fill up quickly and require more frequent emptying. Even once an hour can be normal.
When condensation builds up inside the portable AC's tank without being drained, water can overflow and leak out of the unit. As with any moist environment, the tank filled with stagnant water can also become a breeding ground for mold.
Most portable units have water reservoirs that help dehumidify the room. These reservoirs need to be emptied periodically, although some come with optional hookups for a drainage hose. Other models evaporate much of the moisture and direct the exhaust through the air duct.
Do all portable air conditioners have to be vented out a window? No. With a ventless portable AC system, you don't need to vent anything out the window—but it will be harder to circulate the hot air from the room without one, so you'll need to come up with another solution (like a fan).
The unit is designed to collect the moisture from the air in the room. If the room has a high humidity level, the unit will work harder to cool the air thus collecting more water.