Why doesn't my portable air conditioner get cool enough? How much does it cost to fix these things?
Question:I bought a portable air conditioner second hand (this probably teaches me not to go for a deal!). It gets a bit cool, but not enough to cool an entire room. On top of that, it doesn't take humidity out of the air. Does anyone know if there's something I may have done wrong setting it up that could be causing this? How expensive is it to fix a portable air conditioner (is it worth it? Or should I just get a new one)? Thanks!
Answers:
The problems I always have with my portable air conditioner is 1) the hose that the hot air blows out of emits heat, so that in itself starts to heat up the room, and 2) there is always a little leakage of air from where the hose is attached to the air conditioner. I've taken to wrapping up the hose and duct taping around the seal, which has helped to reduce heat coming off of it.
I would suggest you do as I have done before taking it for any repairs. Also, locate the filter on the side and clean it, as this can cause it to not cool properly.
Are you venting the heat outside? Even with a portable, you must vent the "exhaust". Most have a hose, similar to one on a clothes dryer, which must be vented out a window or something. Other than that, it may need some coolant.
You need to vent, (and if it's that bad, insulate) the condenser air duct outside. If that is taken out of the picture and the problem persists, then it may be a mechanical problem or a sizing issue. If it blows out cold, then the mechanical side is ok. The sizing is 500 sqft per 12,000 btu/hr. so make sure your getting enough cooling for the application. If you have a mechanical problem, it's time to call in the pros
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