Portable air conditioners are convenient as they adequately cool the room without requiring wall-mounting, window installation, or any construction in your home. It is the ideal model to cool small apartments, and the AC unit is relatively inexpensive and space-saving.

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However, problems with portable air conditioners are difficult to diagnose and repair, so it is important for you to catch problems early on. Our Luce Aircon technicians are experienced in all kinds of air conditioning systems, so you can trust in us to tackle the problem for you!

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6 Reasons Why Your Portable Air Conditioner Keeps Shutting Off

Reason #1 Portable AC Compressor Unit

Your portable air conditioner compressor may be on the fritz, causing your unit to shut off intermittently. As the compressor fails to run refrigerant around your unit, it will cause your air conditioner to malfunction.

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A faulty compressor unit will no longer move refrigerant through the cooling system, causing your AC unit to halt the cooling cycle. This is what causes your air conditioner to stop working. An experienced HVAC technician would be able to check on your portable air conditioner compressor to see if the problem is from this component.

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Reason #2 Dirty Filter and Evaporator Coils

Your portable air conditioner may be having problems with the cleanliness of its filter and evaporator coils. Much like any air conditioning system, a portable AC will need cleaning every now and then, and you should be able to clean the filter and coils (including condenser coils) as you normally would with a wall-mounted or window-type unit.

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Dismantle the filter from your portable air conditioner, and wash it with soap and water to brush out the grime. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from the coils, and have a can of compressed air handy to flick away deep-seated grime. Allow frozen evaporator coils to thaw, if necessary, before wiping it down with a clean cloth.

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Reason #3 Low/Poor Airflow Rate

Inadequate airflow rate is another cause for a fluctuating portable air conditioner. As your air conditioner struggles with restricted airflow, it overworks itself, causing the portable AC to overheat, and intermittently shut off. Your AC vents might be too close to the wall, or you may have something blocking the AC vents. Poor airflow can be caused by a dirty air filter as well.

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Reason #4 Clogged Condenser Coils

Clogged condenser coils restrict airflow, causing your compressor to overheat. When this happens, your portable AC turns off repeatedly. This will cause damage to your condenser, so it is best to have one of our Luce Aircon technicians check your unit to prevent any further wear and tear of your unit.

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Reason #5 Refrigerant Leak

When refrigerant levels are low, there is insufficient coolant running through the system to cool the air. Thus, the cooling capacity of your AC is limited. This will cause your AC system to keep shutting down as it cannot cool the room properly. Leaking refrigerant can also lead to problems such as a frozen AC, an AC leaking water, and malfunctioning components.

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Reason #6 Wrong Settings or Air Conditioner Size

If your air conditioner has inadequate temperature settings, or is too weak for the size of your room, then it may shut off from time to time as it tries to continue a normal operation with improper settings. Check the set temperature on your unit, and keep it at a comfortable level to prevent your unit from malfunctioning.

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Consider using multiple portable AC's for large spaces. Portable air conditioners have limited capacities, and can only cool small spaces. A portable AC used in a large space can overwork itself in an attempt to reach the set temperature in the thermostat, and will shut off when it overheats. Replace your AC with a more powerful unit, or use multiple units in one room.

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Troubleshooting Tips for Your Portable Air Conditioner

Tip #1 Schedule Maintenance and Cleaning

A scheduled maintenance and cleaning session will prevent the majority of portable AC problems. Cleaning will clear the vent hose, air filters, and other internal components of dust, promoting optimal air flow within the unit.

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Maintenance is done to detect problems early, so our technicians can reinforce weak spots to avoid further damage to your unit. Both cleaning and maintenance can be done at Luce Aircon, where we ensure you get top quality services for all your aircon needs!

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Tip #2 Opt for Multiple AC Systems

If your AC system is too small for the size of your room, opt for multiple systems instead, or a more powerful air conditioner. Our technicians are not only versed in diagnostics and repair, but they can also guide you through the purchasing process so you can find an air conditioner that fits your budget and requirements.

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Tip #3 Keep Set Temperature Moderate

Avoid overworking your air conditioner, and set the temperature to a moderate level. Your air conditioner should be able to adequately cool the room even with a higher temperature setting. Doing so will prevent accelerated wear and tear of your unit, and will keep your air conditioner durable for several years.

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Choose Luce Aircon

Luce Aircon is your partner in all things air conditioner! From purchasing to installing, maintenance to cleaning, and diagnostics to repairs, our technicians are here to guide you through the entire process. Choose Luce, and keep enjoying that cool air from your AC!

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Check out our article on ac short cycling tips!