My Portable Air Conditioner Is Freezing up

Inside Temperature

• If the portable AC operates in a room that is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the internal cooling element of the unit might freeze up. If the coils freeze, air is still taken into the unit but is blown out as warm air instead of cold. The fan continues to run, if the unit freezes, although it serves to circulate air through the unit and through the room instead of regulate the air. Some portable units shut down as a safety mechanism if the unit freezes and continues to run for extended periods.

Thermostat

• Once the coils are defrosted, the unit blows cool air again. Raise the thermostat on the unit while the fan blows to allow warm air to circulate past the cooling element. The warm air will aid in the thawing process of the cooling element. Press the up or down buttons on the remote control, if the unit is supplied with one, until the thermostat displayed on the unit or on the remote control raises to the desired level. Frigidaire recommends raising the temperature to a higher setting, such as approximately 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fan

• To help the portable AC defrost, allow the fan to run on high. Press the "Fan Speed" button continuously on the unit's front panel or the remote control until the unit reaches its optimum fan speed. Some units feature a "Mode" button, instead of a "Fan Speed" button. Press the "Mode" button continuously until you cycle to the "Cool High" setting or similar. The idea is to circulate the already raised temperature through the unit as quickly and as much as possible. The warm airflow rapidly defrosts the coils. Once the coils are thawed, after approximately 30 minutes, slowly drop the temperature and lower the fan speed.

Power Supply

• Press the "On/Off" button on the remote control or on the portable AC unit to turn it off if you want the unit to thaw without naturally. Allow 60 minutes for the coils to thaw completely. If the room is too cold, unplug the unit and move it to a warmer climate. After the coils are defrosted, plug the unit back in and start the fan at a low setting with a higher temperature setting.