Help for Low Cooling Output in Air Conditioners

Leaks

• If the unit blows cool air but seems to not cool the room, the room might have gaps or holes that allow the cold air to escape. Inspect the room for open doors, open floor vents, open windows or cracks in the ceiling. An air conditioner might prove ineffective if cold air can easily escape. Close or plug up all openings to the room before you turn the unit on.

Frozen Unit

• Many things can make a unit freeze. Once a unit is frozen, the fan or cooling component fail to work properly due to ice buildup; therefore, the air comes out minimally cool or not at all. Listen for the compressor and the fan components. If the compressor is on but the fan isn't working, the fan might be broken. Turn the unit off to allow it to defrost. Turn the appliance back on after it has defrosted, and confirm that the fan is turned on. If the fan turns on, it might have been blocked by ice, which prevented it from turning. If the fan fails to run, the fan motor might be broken and may require a technician's knowledge.

Filter

• A dirty filter is a likely culprit of low cold air output. If you hear the compressor and fan both running but hardly any air emits from the vents or louvers, you may need to clean or replace the air filter. Turn the unit off, and open the front grille with your hand. You can remove the filter by grasping the top or side of it and removing it. Run warm water over the filter's front and back area until all dirt and grime vanishes. Thoroughly dry the air filter with a towel, and lay the filter out to finish drying completely. Reinsert the air filter back into the unit, and close the grille.

Thermostat

• The thermostat governs how cold the emitted air will be. The number in the thermostat display is the number you want the temperature in the air to be at all times. So if the air conditioner thermostat is set to 80, the unit's fan might run but the cooling component only turns on to cool the room to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and then turns off. Press the down directional button on the remote control or air conditioner interface to lower the temperature. You will hear the compressor kick on, and the emitted air will be cold until the room reaches the thermostat setting.