New units & installation Whether you’re replacing the unit you have or upgrading your home with a new feature, we can help.If you don't have central air, portable air conditioners can be a great solution for those hot summer days. However, like any appliance, air conditioners need to be maintained during the off-season to ensure that they work properly when you do need them. Following are four portable air conditioner problems to look out for and how to solve them. There are numerous reasons for an air conditioner to either not start or cease to operate. The first thing you should check is whether the unit is plugged in and if the outlet is receiving power. You should also check to make sure the power cord is not damaged in any way. The next thing to check is whether your unit is on a timer. A timer can cause the unit to stop working and may prevent it from starting all together. Lastly, you should check the temperature at which your portable air conditioner is set.

If the ambient temperature is lower, the unit will either not turn on or will turn off quickly. On a really warm day, it will take some time for an air conditioner to do its work and cool down a room. Especially if it's a large room or a room with high ceilings. However, if your room still feels quite warm after the air conditioner has been running for 30-60 minutes, you may have a problem on your hands. The biggest problem is likely that your air conditioner is too small for the size of the room you are trying to cool. Portable air conditioners are sized according to their BTU ratings. If your air conditioner has the wrong BTU rating, it won't work efficiently. Too large of a BTU and the air conditioner will constantly cycle on and off. Too low of a BTU and your air conditioner will never be able to get the room as cool as you would like. When purchasing a portable air conditioner, make sure you have the dimensions of the room you will be using it in. Most portable air conditioner boxes will outline the room size that the particular model will work for.

If you find your room is between sizes, opt for the bigger model. If your portable air conditioner is the right size for your room, it's possible that the ambient temperature is too high. Portable air conditioners work by pushing cool air into a room and venting hot air, through the units compressor, to the outside. This constant venting can cause a pressure imbalance that will pull in warm air from other parts of the house. new ac furnace costTo solve this, make sure any doors to the room are closed. window unit ac fireIf the room receives a lot of sun, be sure to cover the windows with curtains or shades.buy split unit air conditioner If you find that your portable air conditioner still does not work properly, it's possible that it needs a good cleaning.

Read on for more details. The most common cause of a lack of air flow is a dirty filter. The interior of portable air conditioners can get quite dirty and dusty. Referencing the manual that came with your portable air conditioner, remove the filter and clean it. You may also want to take this time to wipe down any exposed interior areas with a damp cloth. Another reason your portable air conditioner may lack air flow is the presence of frost on the evaporator coils. When water doesn't drain properly from a portable air conditioner, it builds up and can freeze around the coils. This prevents air flow. If you saw any amount of frost on the interior of your portable air conditioner when you removed the filter, you should keep your air conditioner off and let it defrost. Wipe out any excess water with a rag. After everything has dried, you should be able to run your air conditioner properly. A musty smell coming from your air conditioner likely means you have a mold or mildew problem.

Mold and mildew tend to grow in wet places. If your portable air conditioner is retaining water, it creates the perfect breeding ground for spores. Like above, you'll want to reference your manual and inspect the interior of your portable air conditioner. Check the filter, evaporator coils, drain line, and drain pan. If you see mold or mildew, you'll want to give your air conditioner a thorough cleaning. Wear a mask and clean all reachable areas with a cleaner that is made specifically for mold and mildew. If you follow the above steps and keep your portable air conditioner protected in the off season, it should run smoothly for years to come. If the above steps don't work, it may be time to call in a professional or purchase a new portable air conditioner.Properly working heating and cooling systems are integral aspects of a comfortable home or workplace, especially during summer. One malfunction can leave you sweltering in the heat and make your home unbearable. When temperatures start to cliumb outside, the last thing you want is to find your portable air conditioner knocked out by a simple malfunction.

The good news is that not every malfunction is a disaster. Though some require professional help, a great many can be resolved on your own, without the need for a technician. Before you spend any money on repairs, take some time to see if any of these simple fixes are enough to get your portable AC up and running again.   Portable air conditioners are ideal for cooling small areas, such as bedrooms or living rooms, or for providing supplemental cooling in places central AC systems can't reach. Because they're small units, the two primary reasons for inadequate cooling are incorrect sizing and extreme ambient temperatures. The size of an air conditioner refers to its cooling power, not its physical proportions. Portable ACs are sized according to their BTU ratings, and if your portable AC has the wrong BTU rating for the size of the room you're trying to cool, its efficiency will be affected. A unit with too many BUTs will cause the unit to cycle off too quickly, while a unit with too few won't be powerful enough to affect the ambient temperature. 

To find out whether your portable air conditioner is the right size for the  room it's in, meaure the length and width of the room. If your room is oddly shaped, try breaking it up into smaller shapes like squares and triangles. Calculate the area of a triangle my multiplying the base by the height and dividing in two. Once you've calculated the area, consult our portable air conditioner sizing guide so see what size air conditioner will work best in that space. If you're on the cusp of two different sizes, always choose the bigger one. It's okay to have a little more BTU than you need, just so long as it's close to the correct size.On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is too high, it can also cause insufficient cooling. As portbale AC units release cool air out into the room, they vent hot air from the compressor outside. This constant venting causes a pressure imbalance that pulls in warm air from the other areas, including adjoining rooms and the outdoors. Normally, if the room is properly sealed and all the doors and windows are closed, the air coming is never enough to overwhelm the portable AC unit.

If there's a leak, or if the ourside temperature is extremely high, the air conditioner may not be able to generate enough cold air to cool the room. Sunlight can also heat a room faster than your portable air conditioner can cool it. If temperature keeps rising, check for leaks and close the blinds. It may be enough to swing things the other way.   Portable Air Conditioner Buying Tip: Visit our sizing page to learn how to properly size a portable AC, or visit our product library to learn how to maximize your portable AC's efficiency.If your portable AC won't start, the most likely explanation is lack of power. Start by making sure the power cord is correctly plugged in and that the cord itself isn't damaged. Check the wall plug and circuit breaker as well. Try resetting the circuit at the breaker box, or changing the socket or outlet. Only after these steps have failed to resolve the problem should you take the portable air conditioner to a qualified electrician to have the fuse replaced. 

Check to make sure the timer is not on, as an active timer can cause the unit to cease operation. Also, if  the ambient temperature in your room is lower than the set temperature, this may cause your portable air conditioner to shut off. To remedy this, shut the unit down and wait for the room temperature to rise before turning the the unit back on again. There are many reaons for lack of air flow. The most common cause is a clogged filter. Remove the grill in the back of the unit and clean any excess dust off the filter with a brush or a vacuum, then rinse if off with some running water. Also check for clogs in the evaporator or condenser coils, which you can see in the top compartment of the AC unit after you remove the grill and filters. If you spot any, remove them with your vacuum hose attachment. The second reason your portable air conditioner may not be venting air is frost on the cooling coils, also known as the evaporator coils. This happens when the low temperatures around the coils causes water to condense. 

If the water doesn't drain properly, it can build up and freeze around the coils, hampering air flow. To check the coils the same as above. Remove the back grill and the filters and inspect the top compartment. If you see any fronst, turn the unit off and let it defrost. Once the ice has melted, normal operation should resume. Read our article on automatic defrosting and frozen AC coils to learn more. The third reason may be the compressor has overheated. Check the hose and window unit to make sure they're still venting air properly. If the portable AC is unable can't vent the heat generated by the compressor, it will build up inside the unit and cause the compressor to shut down. Straighten the hose, remove any blockages, and position the unit further away from the window. If the it's too close, the hose can sag restrict air flow (visit our venting FAQ to learn more). Let the unit cool for 15-30 minutes and then turn it back on. Normal operation should resume. If it doesn't, it's time to call a qualified professional.