Buzz
Many customers often complain to air conditioner repair centers when they don't understand why their air conditioner is taking a long time to cool. At this point, you can ask these centers to come to your house for inspection and immediate troubleshooting. However, if you have a basic understanding of how air conditioners work, knowing the reasons why the air conditioner is not cooling will help you be more proactive in finding solutions and, most importantly, minimize unnecessary expenses with service centers during peak summer days.
The case of air conditioners not cooling can be caused by various reasons
During hot summer days, the air conditioner is undoubtedly the most useful device to help people enjoy cool air. But if your home air conditioner is not cooling while still running, this is a major hassle, especially on scorching days. You want to effectively and quickly fix this issue to be able to use the air conditioner immediately. If waiting for an air conditioner repairman or avoiding being overcharged by them is a concern, you can explore the reasons why the air conditioner is not cooling and refer to the following troubleshooting methods.
Air conditioner not cooling: causes and solutions
1. Incorrect cooling mode setting
One of the reasons your home air conditioner is not cooling even when turned on is because you have set the cooling mode incorrectly or accidentally pressed the wrong function button such as heating, fan, etc. If you are sure that you have set the cooling mode correctly, you can skip this check step.
Symptom: When you turn on the air conditioner but it doesn't cool. This could be because you've set the cooling mode incorrectly by pressing the wrong symbol on the control panel.
Solution:
On the air conditioner control panel, there are various symbols, each with its own meaning:
- Cool: Snowflake symbol
- Dry: Water drop symbol
- Heating mode: Sun symbol
- Auto mode.
Modern air conditioners also have additional symbols:
- Health mode: Tree symbol. This mode activates the air ionizer, which plays a role in filtering dust to keep the air clean and fresh.
- Scavenging function: This function efficiently filters odors and helps lower the temperature.
- X-fan function: Fan symbol. When this function is selected, the fan blades in the air conditioner will continue to rotate for 10 hours even when the air conditioner is turned off. This helps improve fan performance and lifespan.
If your air conditioner control panel displays a water tap symbol, it indicates that the air conditioner filter needs to be cleaned.
Solution:
To effectively cool the room, you should choose to turn on the air conditioner in Cool mode instead of Fan mode. If the temperature is above 35 degrees Celsius, you should also use the Dry mode to enhance the cooling process of the air conditioner.
2. Air conditioner excessively dirty
Cause: Prolonged use without proper cleaning or maintenance of the air conditioner can cause a buildup of dirt, resulting in the air conditioner not cooling the air when turned on.
Solution:
To remedy the issue of the air conditioner not cooling due to excessive dirt, you should maintain and clean the air conditioner. Additionally, remember to clean the air conditioner every 4-6 months to enhance its efficiency and lifespan.
To properly clean the air conditioner, follow these steps:
Step 1: Disconnect the power supply to the air conditioner and use a voltage tester to ensure safety before cleaning. Use a large bag to catch water and check for any insects on the outdoor and indoor units.
Step 2: Remove the air filter and soak it in a large container of water. Use a cloth to clean off any dirt stuck on the air filter, then dry it thoroughly.
Step 3: Clean the machine coils and fan blades. For these parts, use a spray bottle to clean dirt in small crevices.
Step 4: Use a clean cloth to dry the cleaned components. Then reassemble the parts in reverse order of disassembly.
Step 5: Turn on the air conditioner to check if it operates efficiently.
After prolonged use, the air conditioner accumulates dust, causing it to no longer cool effectively.
3. Air conditioner blocked and not running
Cause: Air conditioner blockage and not running is one of the reasons why the air conditioner doesn't cool. This issue can be caused by the following reasons:
- Lack of power to the compressor: Due to faulty control board, open circuit, or faulty contactor.
- Thermal overload protection of the compressor: Due to capacitor damage, damaged condenser fan, or poorly performing compressor motor.
- Burned motor winding inside.
Solution:
- For reasons related to lack of power to the compressor and thermal overload protection of the compressor, you need to accurately identify the cause of the air conditioner blockage and not running to be able to troubleshoot this issue.
- For reasons related to burned motor winding, replacement is recommended as repair is only a temporary solution.
4. Air conditioner out of gas or low on refrigerant
Cause: When the air conditioner doesn't cool, a common reason many people think of is running out of gas or low refrigerant. In reality, you shouldn't rush to call an air conditioner repairman to recharge the refrigerant. Instead, follow steps 2 and 3 that I mentioned earlier. If ineffective, consider this issue. So how do you know when the refrigerant is low or out?
- Air conditioner not cooling
- Frost on the small pipe valve of the condenser unit.
- Lower operating voltage compared to the machine's consumption voltage.
- Lower pressure at the compressor unit compared to normal pressure.
- Many air conditioner models, when running out of gas or low on refrigerant, automatically stop operating and display an error on the indoor unit.
Solution:
If your air conditioner doesn't cool due to running out of gas or low refrigerant, you should call a reputable technician to assist, recharge the refrigerant for the air conditioner to resume normal operation. There are different types of refrigerants on the market such as R22, R410, ... with varying prices, so if you're not sure which type of refrigerant to use, you should find out the air conditioner model's refrigerant type based on the product code or seek advice from someone experienced.
5. Air conditioner condenser failure
Cause: The cause of air conditioner condenser failure is due to the component located in the outdoor unit being exposed to weather and temperature, which can be significant.
Solution:
When the air conditioner doesn't cool due to condenser failure, repairing it requires technical expertise and understanding of the steps involved. It's best to find a technician to repair or replace the capacitor. Additionally, pay attention to the following to prevent condenser failure:
- Set a timer or leave it in auto mode if the air conditioner can adjust to the most suitable temperature.
- Keep the air conditioner on at 25 - 27 degrees Celsius.
6. Compressor malfunction
Cause: Compressor malfunction is another reason why the air conditioner is running but not cooling. The cause of compressor malfunction includes:
- Control circuit malfunction
- Power loss
- ...
Solution:
Compressor malfunction is a technical issue, and if you're not familiar with air conditioners, it can be difficult to address this problem. Therefore, you should contact the air conditioner warranty center or seek out a professional air conditioner repair service to efficiently and effectively resolve the issue.
7. Electrical overload or insufficient power supply
As summer arrives, everyone switches on fans and air conditioners, leading to frequent occurrences of electrical overload. When the air conditioner doesn't receive sufficient power, the compressor and condenser heat up, resulting in the air conditioner not cooling effectively.
Solution:
Equip your home with a stabilizer to ensure a stable power supply, which will help provide enough power to the air conditioner for proper functioning.
8. Air conditioner leaking water
When the air conditioner leaks water, it causes an accumulation of moss inside the pipe, leading to blockage of the drainage pipe. Consequently, water cannot drain out, resulting in stagnation. This issue affects the air conditioner's efficiency.
Solution:
Seek assistance from maintenance centers or service providers for air conditioner repair and installation to address the issue, clean, or replace the drainage pipe for your home air conditioning unit.
9. Installing the air conditioner's indoor unit in a hot corner
In many households with limited space, the air conditioner installation often involves placing the indoor unit in a hot corner. However, this setup leads to inefficient air conditioning, resulting in less cooling than desired.
Solution:
You should relocate the indoor unit to a cooler area to allow the air conditioner to effectively distribute cool air throughout your home. Additionally, for quick and efficient cooling, avoid placing the indoor and outdoor units too far apart.
10. Always set the air conditioner temperature too low
Many people believe that setting the air conditioner to the lowest temperature will cool the space faster without affecting the lifespan of the air conditioner. This notion is incorrect. Running the air conditioner at the lowest temperature for several consecutive days can lead to decreased efficiency and even severe damage.
Therefore, it's advisable to choose a moderate setting when using the air conditioner, around 25 - 27 degrees Celsius, or adjust it to be 5 - 7 degrees cooler than the outdoor temperature. This setting is optimal, ensuring efficient operation and prolonging the lifespan of the unit.
11. Insufficient Air Conditioner Capacity
Air conditioning inefficiency may result from insufficient capacity. This capacity is influenced by various factors such as heat sources in the room, building materials, room size, and the number of occupants. Therefore, when purchasing an air conditioner, it's essential to consider the size of the room you intend to cool:
- For rooms under 15m2, opt for an air conditioner with a capacity of 9000 BTU.
- Rooms ranging from 15 - 20m2 should consider purchasing an air conditioner with a capacity of 12000 BTU.
- Rooms between 20 - 30m2 require an air conditioner with a capacity of 18000 BTU.
- For rooms sized 30 - 40m2, select an air conditioner with a capacity of 24000 BTU.
12. For Air Conditioners with Indoor Fan Mode
For such air conditioners, users should try switching to fan mode to compare the cooling effectiveness with the air conditioning mode. Once you find the suitable mode, the air conditioner will function normally and cool the air quickly.
Above are Mytour's compiled 12 causes of air conditioning malfunction and remedies. To ensure your home air conditioner operates efficiently, lasts long, and saves energy, regular maintenance and cleaning every 4 - 6 months are advisable.
With scorching weather making you want to buy cooling equipment, you might be unsure whether to choose an air conditioner or an air cooler. It's best to compare the pros and cons of both products and consider your needs and financial conditions to decide whether to buy an air conditioner or an air cooler for your family this summer.
A few other reasons
1. Air Conditioner Capacitor Failure
- Cause: Air conditioner capacitor failure can occur when the air conditioner operates with an overloaded capacity, users set the temperature too low and maintain this temperature for an extended period. In such cases, the air conditioner will function just like a regular fan and won't provide cooling.
- Remedy: People need to replace the capacitor when the old one of the air conditioner is damaged. The price of capacitors varies depending on the type, ranging from 250,000 to 450,000 VND. Also, to prevent future capacitor failures, people should only set the air conditioner to 26 - 27 degrees Celsius.
2. Air Conditioner Gas Shortage or Depletion
- Cause: Refrigerant is an important factor for the stable cooling operation of an air conditioner. Therefore, if the air conditioner is not cooling properly when running, it is likely that your air conditioner is low on gas due to long-term depletion or leakage of the gas line.
- Remedy: You cannot refill the gas yourself but need to contact a professional air conditioner repair technician to check and refill the gas for the air conditioner. The cost will vary depending on the type of refrigerant your air conditioner is using.
3. Air Conditioner Leaking Water
- Cause: Water leakage during prolonged air conditioner operation can cause moss buildup on the drain pipes. This can potentially clog the drain pipe, preventing proper water drainage and resulting in ineffective cooling operation of the air conditioner.
- Remedy: If this is indeed the cause, the remedy is relatively simple. You can contact an air conditioner installer to clear the drain pipe or replace it with a new one. The drain pipe should have enough slope to facilitate easy water drainage.
4. Dirty Air Conditioner
- Cause: Many families use air conditioners but neglect regular maintenance, resulting in excessive dust accumulation that prevents cool air from blowing out. This is one of the most common causes.
- Remedy: When the air conditioner isn't cooling, the first thing you can do is clean the air conditioner filter yourself. If the air conditioner still doesn't cool after cleaning, you can explore other possible causes.
Here are some of the most common reasons why air conditioners don't cool. To ensure stable operation, prolong lifespan, and save energy, it's essential to maintain the air conditioner regularly. For residents of Hanoi, it's advisable to seek out reputable air conditioner maintenance centers in Hanoi to avoid unnecessary expenses. There are many reputable air conditioner maintenance centers in Hanoi that can help ensure your air conditioner operates smoothly. This is the simplest and most cost-effective method for you to use your air conditioner with confidence during hot days.
Along with understanding the causes and remedies for air conditioners not cooling, to use the air conditioner efficiently, safely, and save energy, readers should also refer to the article how to use air conditioners overnight without feeling tired, sore throat, or stuffy nose, compiled by Mytour.
If you're considering installing a new air conditioner and leaning towards Daikin, but still have doubts and concerns, you can read our article on whether Daikin air conditioners are good to find the best air conditioning solution for your home.
