Sometimes a portable air conditioner doesn’t live up to the expectations you have for it.
You may have assumed you would be able to cool an entire room or multiple rooms of your home with it, but it can get frustrating when you are not getting adequate cool air.
Instead, you notice more hot air than you would like. Below are 10 ways to make your portable AC colder without spending a dime.
Let’s get started.
10 Ways to Make a Portable Air Conditioner Colder
1. Keep windows and doors shut
Portable air conditioners are nice to have but they aren’t as powerful as a larger AC unit.
Make sure that you close your windows and doors, preventing any warm air from making its way inside. It also prevents the cold air from escaping the room.
When you have doors and windows open with your portable air conditioner running, it causes it to work harder.
2. Keep the exhaust hose straight
The exhaust hose carries warm air out of the room through either a drop ceiling, door, or window.
To achieve the best performance, the exhaust hose should be free of bends or kinks.
If the hose gets twisted at all, it won’t be able to extract properly, causing the portable AC unit to work harder to achieve better cool air.
The overall life of a portable ac unit can be shortened because of the moisture from the expelled air that collects in the hose.
3. Turn off any unnecessary electrical sources
When you have several electrical devices going all at once in a room will affect how well your portable air conditioner provides cold air.
When you have lightbulbs on, televisions, and computers running, it may not seem like they would put off excess hot air, but they can prevent your portable ac unit from cooling as much as possible.
4. Turn on your air conditioner before needing it
It’s common for people to shut off their air conditioner when the house is at the desired temperature or if they are not hot yet.
However, this is the worst thing to do.
For example, if you know it’s going to be a hot day the next day, you should either turn your portable ac on first thing in the morning, or you can program it to start at a certain temperature.
If you wait to turn it on when you need it, then it’s going to take a lot more cooling power to make you feel comfortable.
5. Clean your filters regularly
If you don’t clean your air filter regularly, your portable ac unit won’t be able to provide efficient cooling.
Usually, you need to clean the dust and -other clogged-up particles with a little detergent and warm water.
Avoiding a dirty air filter will allow for efficient, continuous cool air.
Maintaining your HVAC system not only ensures optimal temperature control but also contributes to a cleaner and healthier home environment. For thorough cleaning services that complement your well-maintained HVAC system, consider a deep cleaning.
6. Avoid placing your AC unit in direct sunlight
Placing your air conditioner strategically can help it work more efficiently and save you money.
Tips to place your AC unit in the proper place:
- Make sure the air conditioner should be placed near an electric outlet for proper draining and venting. The length of the exhaust host varies, but it’s important to keep it as straight and short as possible.
- The power cable needs to reach the outlet without stretching it.
- Your portable ac unit should be on an even and flat ground. Don’t place it on furniture or a table.
- Put your portable air conditioner where the cool air will be able to flow freely. Avoid installing your unit behind furniture or anywhere where something will block the airflow.
- Keep away from any heat-emitting appliances or electronics; ideally, you should make sure they are at least three meters away.
7. Run your fan
Using a fan in conjunction with your portable AC can allow cool air to circulate easier. Air conditioners are great at cooling down the air, but a fan helps to circulate all of it, creating more comfort.
8. Use ice
Grab a bucket of ice and put it under your vent or in front of your fan. This can make a significant difference in how cool the air feels.
9. Check the coils
A portable air conditioner usually has two sets of coils.
Evaporator coils are considered the internal set, which takes heat from the air and pulls it outside.
The condensation coils are the external set of coils that release heat into the outdoor air.
If there is a layer of dirt or dust on the functions it can interfere with the way they work.
You can clean the dust and dirt off yourself; however, if there is a sign of ice, you may want to call an HVAC professional as that means there is a larger issue.
10. Watch out for any odd noises
When your portable ac unit starts making any noises out of the ordinary, it’s important not to put it off. For example, if you hear a hissing noise, you most likely have a refrigerant leak.
A refrigerant leak is just an example; there are multiple noises that can signal an issue.
Final Thoughts
Most portable air conditioners operate similarly so using the tips above can help most units cool more effectively.
If none of the tricks seem to work, despite going through troubleshooting steps, you should contact a cooling system professional.
If you’re not experienced with portable ac units, it’s best to let a professional take over to find out why your unit is not blowing air or producing a cool space.
Don’t forget to drain your portable air conditioner at the right time as well.
You may want to upgrade as well to the best 14,000 BTU portable air conditioner if yours is on its way out.
Image Credit: Flickr.com
