There are many benefits to getting a portable air conditioner. Not only do they come in a wide range of BTU ratings to accommodate all your cooling needs, but they’re also easy to move around and require minimal to no installation. However, when your portable air conditioner is meant to keep you cool and comfortable, it can be inconvenient when it keeps turning off. Here are some common reasons that may be causing this.
6 Reasons Why Your Portable Air Conditioner Keeps Shutting Off
Reason #1 Portable AC Compressor Unit
Your portable air conditioner compressor may be on the fritz, causing your unit to shut off intermittently. As the compressor fails to run refrigerant around your unit, it will cause your air conditioner to malfunction.
A faulty compressor unit will no longer move refrigerant through the cooling system, causing your AC unit to halt the cooling cycle. This is what causes your air conditioner to stop working. An experienced HVAC technician would be able to check on your portable air conditioner compressor to see if the problem is from this component.
Reason #2: Dirty Air Filter
The air filter of your portable air conditioner traps all the dust and dirt in the air and prevents them from spreading throughout your space, but most individuals forget that the filter needs to be cleaned regularly. When left unchecked for long periods of time, the air filter can become clogged with impurities, which can compromise the airflow inside your unit and prevent your portable AC from functioning properly.
Make sure that you regularly check on your unit’s air filter and clean it when needed. Here’s how you can clean your portable air conditioner’s air filter:
- Unplug your portable air conditioner and remove the air filter from the unit.
- Remove any loose debris and particles with a vacuum or soft brush.
- Leave the air filter to soak in some soapy water for a few minutes to loosen up the debris.
- After letting the filter soak, use a sponge or a brush to gently scrub away the remaining particles.
- Rinse the air filter and let it air dry completely before returning it inside your unit.
Reason #3: Dirty Evaporator Coils
Similarly to the air filter, the evaporator coils of your portable air conditioner can also accumulate a significant amount of dust and dirt. When this happens, the coils are unable to absorb the heat from the refrigerant, which can impede the overall cooling process, while also causing other issues inside your AC that can force it to shut down.
It’s important to clean your evaporator coils regularly. Follow these steps to learn how:
- Unplug your portable air conditioner and locate the evaporator coils. You may consult your unit’s user manual if needed.
- Use your vacuum cleaner to remove any loose dirt and debris from the coils. Make sure to use a soft brush attachment.
- Spray some commercial coil cleaner or soapy water on the coils and leave the solution to sit for a few minutes. Be careful not to soak any electrical components.
- Fill a spray bottle with clean water and use this to rinse away the solution.
- Leave the coils to air dry completely before reassembling your air conditioner.
Reason #4: Frozen Evaporator Coils
Aside from becoming dirty over time, the evaporator coils of your portable air conditioner can also accumulate ice. This is often due to restricted air circulation inside the unit, low refrigerant levels, inefficient thermostat settings, and much more. To deal with this, power down your unit and leave it for a few hours to let the built-up ice thaw. You may also want to book an aircon cleaning and maintenance appointment to make sure that there aren’t any underlying issues.
Reason #5: Refrigerant Issues
Refrigerant is a substance that plays a massive role in the overall cooling process of your portable air conditioner. Refrigerant goes around your air conditioner and absorbs the heat from the air. Any issue with your portable unit’s refrigerant will prevent it from functioning smoothly. If your refrigerant levels are low, or if you have a refrigerant leak, make sure to have a professional HVAC technician take a look at the issue.
Reason #6: Wrong Cooling Capacity
If your portable AC keeps shutting down, then this might be a sign that it’s short cycling. Short cycling is when your air conditioner turns on and off too frequently. While it can be caused by several things, the most common reason behind this is that the cooling capacity of your air conditioner isn’t suitable for the size of the room it’s meant to cool. Remember that each square foot of space only needs around 20 BTU to cool down, so consider this when buying a unit.
Keep Your Space Cool with Luce!
The best thing you can do to keep your portable air conditioner running smoothly is to have it regularly cleaned and maintained, and Luce is here to help you out with that. From installations and cleanings to servicing and repairs, Luce offers a wide range of services to ensure that your space stays cool and comfortable!
