There can be many reasons why your aircon is not cold.
An aircon not cooling is typically due to common issues like dirty air filters, incorrect thermostat settings, low refrigerant levels, blocked condenser coils, or a malfunctioning compressor. Regular maintenance can prevent many of these problems, but complex faults may need professional repair.
But regardless of the reason, air conditioning is important in Singapore. Hey as far as I am concerned the only handyman I have on speed-dial is my aircon service repairman. GUYS! WE ARE IN SINGAPORE.
Air-conditioners have become one of the necessities of life in Singapore owing to hot and tropical weather. An aircon working at its optimum level is necessary whether it is at homes, offices, or schools.
If the reason your aircon is not cold, there might be a few reasons for it. Below, we have described a few scenarios which may be the cause of your aircon not being cold enough.
What to do if my Aircon stop blowing cold air?
If your aircon is not cooling your house properly, there might be a few reasons for it. Below, we have described a few scenarios which may be the cause of your aircon not being cold enough.
But generally speaking, here’s a quick rundown:
- Check the Thermostat: Ensure it’s set to ‘cool’ and the temperature is lower than the room’s current temperature.
- Clean the Air Filter: A clogged filter can block airflow, so clean or replace it regularly.
- Inspect the Condenser Unit: Remove any dirt or debris around the outdoor unit to allow better airflow.
- Check Refrigerant Levels: Low refrigerant can stop cooling; contact a technician to refill and check for leaks.
- Clear the Evaporator Coils: Dirty coils can reduce efficiency; cleaning may restore cooling.
If these steps don’t solve the issue, consider scheduling a professional aircon service.
Or maybe consider it after you finish reading our article.
Why Isn’t My Aircon Cold?
If your aircon isn’t cooling, it’s often due to common issues that can be checked and resolved with regular maintenance. Here are the main causes:
- Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
A blocked air filter restricts airflow, causing the aircon to work harder and cool less effectively. Clean or replace the filter regularly to ensure optimal airflow. - Low Refrigerant Level
Low refrigerant can result from leaks and prevents the aircon from cooling effectively. Contact a professional to check for leaks and refill refrigerant if needed. - Faulty Compressor
The compressor is key to cooling air. If it’s malfunctioning due to dirt, dust, or internal damage, it may need repair or replacement by a technician. - Blocked Condenser Coils
Condenser coils expel heat from your aircon. When clogged with dirt or debris, they reduce cooling efficiency. Clean them during routine maintenance to keep the aircon working well. - Faulty Thermostat
A malfunctioning thermostat can misread temperatures, causing the aircon to underperform. If the thermostat doesn’t display correctly or fails to cool, consider replacing it. - Clogged Drain Pipes
Drain pipes remove moisture from your home. If clogged, they decrease cooling efficiency. Flush drain pipes regularly to prevent blockages. - Leaking Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils transfer heat from your room to the outside. Leaks or clogs in these coils reduce their effectiveness, so it’s best to have them checked by a professional. - Electrical Issues
Problems like faulty wiring or a blown fuse can disrupt cooling. If your aircon suddenly stops working, have a technician examine the electrical components.
Quick Tip:
Regular aircon servicing can prevent most cooling issues. If troubleshooting doesn’t restore cool air, it may be time to call an aircon professional.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
The air filter is mainly responsible for collecting dust particles and other airborne particles and preventing them from flowing inside the room. When this air filter gets clogged because of dirt buildup and grime, there is a chance for the evaporator coil to freeze it can affect the efficiency of the aircon.
The aircon will not be able to throw the right amount of cold air because of the blockage. This will cause it to work harder, which will lead to it not cooling the room enough. Cleaning the air filter every few days can help solve this problem.
It is also recommended for you to get regular servicing or a chemical wash and overhaul once every six months. Chemical wash or overhaul services can remove stubborn stains which general servicing are unable to do.
Faulty Compressor
A compressor is the main component of the aircon which is responsible for cooling the air to be thrown inside the room. If the compressor becomes faulty or breaks down, it will not be able to cool the air. As a result, hot air will be blown from the aircon inside the room.
The compressor might get blocked because of dirt, dust, or debris which can cause it not to work properly. This problem should be checked by a professional who will assess the problem and repair or replace the compressor accordingly.
Helpful read: Aircon Compressors: The Different Types and How They Work
Clogged Condenser Coils
The condenser coils are responsible for expending heat from the compressor and refrigerant, which provides cold air within your room. Because of dirt and dust, these condenser coils can get clogged, which can lower their efficiency.
The compressor will not be able to cool the air efficiently, which will result in the aircon not cooling the room enough. The problem of clogged coils can be solved with regular aircon servicing of the air conditioner by a professional service. Engaging professional chemical wash overhaul is another solution to consider.
Hire Aircon Chemical Wash Services
Low Gas Pressure
If the gas pressure in the air conditioner is below the normal level, it will directly affect the amount of cool air that is blown inside the house. The gas can get leaked because of several reasons. These include cracks in pipes, gaps during installation, and mould in the internal units.
Once the leakage sites have been identified, they should be repaired. After the gas has been refilled, the aircon would be able to cool effectively.
Helpful Read: Aircon Compressors: The Different Types and How They Work
Coolant or Refrigerant Leaking
The coolant or refrigerant is the liquid which is pumped by the compressor during the process of cooling the air.
If the coolant leaks due to any reason, it will affect the compressor’s efficiency, and as a result, the aircon will not be cold enough.
Identifying the source of leakage, repairing or replacing it, and then replenishing the leaked coolant will resolve this issue.
Helpful read: Tips on Maintaining Your Aircon System
Engage in Aircon Gas Top-Up Services
Faulty Thermostat
A thermostat aids in detecting alterations in temperature. One of the most common issues behind an aircon not being cold enough is that of a faulty thermostat. All the components of the air conditioner might be working properly, but still, the aircon might not be able to blow cold air inside the house.
This can point to a problem with the thermostat. It might not be reading the temperature settings properly or may not be able to trigger the system to blow cold air inside. Replacing the faulty thermostat will resolve this problem.
Leaking Evaporator Coils
Evaporator coils are responsible for picking the hot air from inside the room and passing it to the condenser coils which will release this heat outside. Evaporator coils also work by pumping the coolant through themselves and eventually aiding the process of releasing cool air inside.
If the evaporator coils get clogged because of dirt or dust buildup, it will affect its efficiency resulting in decreased cold air blown through the aircon. A half-yearly cleaning on average is encouraged, but this varies according to the situation too.
If there is some leakage in the evaporator coils, the coolant will leak which will again decrease the efficiency of the evaporator coils. A professional technician can identify the problem of evaporator coils and fix the issue to make the aircon cold once again.
Clogged Drain Pipes
Drain pipes are responsible for draining the water that is collected from inside the house as moisture and draining it outside. This process is also an integral part of the whole working of the air-conditioning units.
If the drain pipes become clogged due to mould and dirt, the moisture will not be able to be drained outside. This will result in decreased efficiency of the aircon. The aircon will not be able to keep the room cold and will have to work harder to achieve the desired temperature.
The drain pipes can be cleaned and flushed to allow the water to drain properly and thus, enable the aircon to be cold again.
Ductwork or Insulation Issues
If you are using a ventilation system through ductwork and pipes through which the aircon’s cool air is circulated through various rooms, any blockage or leakage in the ducts can also result in the aircon not cooling enough.
Through the leakage sources, the cool air may be escaping resulting in decreased performance of the air-conditioning unit.
Similarly, if the rooms, windows, and doors are not properly insulated or if gaps remain at some locations, then this can cause cool air to escape. This, in turn, will cause the aircon not to cool properly.
Faulty Fan
If the fan motor inside the air conditioner becomes faulty or stops working altogether, it can lead the aircon not to cool the room enough. A faulty fan may be repaired or replaced depending on the severity of the fault. Tell-tale signs include buzzing noise and warm air produced. Commonly, this could happen when there is an electrical wiring problem. This problem requires mandatory examining and is possibly solved by a trained technician.
For example, the cost of repair 1 fan coil unit ranges from about $35-$45.
Helpful Read: Aircon Cost Guide
What is the Optimal Temperature (Highest aircon efficiency) for Cold Aircon in Singapore?
Given the tropical climate in Singapore, the aircon serves as a perfect buddy to provide comfort and conduciveness for everyone. There are many sources recommending 20-25 degrees Celsius, as it is considered the most energy-efficient temperature to set for aircon.
Although 16-18 degrees Celsius is a good temperature for comfort when you are home and awake, it might not be suitable for sleep. In fact, when bedroom temperatures become too hot or too cold, this might bring you a restless night. A general recommendation for the optimal temperature for sleeping is between 18- and 25-degree Celsius.
If you’re looking to reduce the usage of your aircon, we recommend installing window solar films to absorb heat and harmful UV rays from the Sun.
Air-Conditioning Unit and Room Proportions
If your aircon is not cooling your room enough, then one problem could be that it is too small in comparison to the size of the room. If the room size is big and the aircon small, it will not be able to cool the room enough because it would just not be possible for it based on its capacity. In such a case, getting a bigger aircon with higher BTU for that room would result in the aircon properly cooling the room.
In the hot, scorching heat of summers, it is imperative that your aircon works properly and provides a cool and pleasant environment for you to carry out your activities. However, if the air-conditioning unit is unable to cool your room, there might be one of the above-mentioned issues behind its inefficiency.
Once the issues have been resolved, the aircon will be able to perform better with increased efficiency. Having your aircon regularly serviced by trained professionals help in keeping minor problems at bay. This ensures that the aircon will be able to perform at the optimal level for a longer duration before any serious problem arises.
What’s the Best Temperature for Aircon Efficiency?
For Singapore’s climate, the ideal setting for energy-efficient cooling is between 20-25°C. Maintaining this range keeps the aircon effective without overworking it.
Note: To conserve energy, consider installing insulation or window films to reduce heat from sunlight, helping your aircon cool more efficiently.
Should I turn off my Aircon if it is not cooling?
As mentioned above, in different scenarios, many factors could result in air conditioner becoming faulty. Before engaging professionals, one should try to turn off the aircon and leave it for a few hours. Most people tend to commit a common mistake of putting the aircon to run all day long, resulting in aircon fault. Examples of aircon faults could be a frozen system or a blown capacitor. Thus, it is strongly recommended to switch off the aircon when not in use.
Common Signs You May Need a Bigger Aircon Unit
If your room isn’t cooling despite all fixes, the aircon may be undersized for the space. Upgrading to a unit with higher BTUs can improve cooling in larger rooms.
Why Is My Aircon Not Cold After Cleaning?
“An aircon may still not cool after cleaning if a critical component, like the refrigerant or compressor, isn’t functioning correctly. A common cause is a refrigerant leak, which prevents effective cooling even if other parts are clean. Unlike filters, refrigerant levels don’t deplete naturally, so if cooling is weak, contact a technician to check for leaks or low refrigerant.”
Which mode in Aircon gives the best cooling?
- Cool Mode: The fan runs continuously, and the compressor operates periodically to maintain the set temperature. Best when a person wants to cool the room at a fixed temperature.
- Fan Mode: The fan runs continuously, and the compressor is off. Use it when a person prefers ventilation, but no cooling is needed.
- Dry Mode: Both fan and aircon systems are operating, but no cold air is produced. Best used to reduce the humidity levels in a room.
- Energy Saver Mode: The purpose is to limit the energy consumption of aircon usage. The compressor and fan turn on and off automatically.
- Sleep Mode: Only work along with cool mode. This function helps to gradually increase the temperature level of a room, to provide better comfort.
- Fan speed setting: The three types are low, medium and high. For ventilation purposes and does not affect the cooling level.
- Timer-off setting: Set appropriate timing for the aircon to switch off automatically
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