As the scorching summer heat takes over, air conditioners become a necessity, running almost constantly. However, some users face a common issue: their AC unit fails to cool the room adequately. Despite cranking up the settings to maximum power, lowering the temperature, and increasing the fan speed, the room remains uncomfortably warm.
Why Your Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling
According to refrigeration engineers, the primary culprit behind this issue is often a dirty air filter. Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the filter, obstructing the airflow from the unit to the room.
“In most cases we’re called to inspect, the root cause is a filthy air filter,” says Ta Quang Truong, owner of an AC repair shop in Hoang Mai, Hanoi. “People tend to use their AC units heavily during the summer, and if they don’t cover it properly in the winter, it accumulates dust.”
Air conditioners are in high demand during the sweltering summer days. Image: Sharp.
A dirty air filter not only impedes the cooling process but also forces the AC unit to work harder, resulting in increased energy consumption and louder operation.
“A dusty air filter reduces airflow, impacting the cooling performance,” Truong continues. “This can lead to a 10-15% increase in energy consumption compared to a well-maintained unit.”
Moreover, a neglected air conditioner can pose health risks to its users, potentially causing respiratory issues such as sore throat and sinus problems.
Chu Ngoc Vu, Head of the Planning and Maintenance Department at Kangaroo Group, with eight years of AC repair experience, recommends regular cleaning of the air filter.
“Manufacturers recommend cleaning the air filter about once a month to ensure optimal cooling performance,” says Vu. “A thorough cleaning of the entire AC unit, on the other hand, is suggested every three months.”
When your AC unit fails to cool the room adequately or becomes noticeably noisy, the first step is to inspect the air filter.
Steps to Clean the Air Filter
To address this issue, Vu suggests the following steps:
Steps to clean your air conditioner’s air filter. Image: Viet Anh.
Step 1: Locate the air filter. In modern AC units, the air filter is typically placed right behind the front panel.
Step 2: Ensure the power to the AC unit is turned off. Depending on the setup, you may need to switch off the circuit breaker or unplug the unit for safety during the cleaning process.
Step 3: Open the front panel of the AC unit and remove the air filter. Most air conditioners have two air filters.
Step 4: Use a cloth or a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust and debris from the surface of the filter. If the filter is heavily soiled, you can wash it gently with a soft brush under running water. Be careful not to damage the filter.
Step 5: Dry the air filter thoroughly with a dry cloth. Alternatively, you can let it air dry. Use a dry brush and cloth to remove dust from other internal components of the AC unit.
Step 6: Reinstall the clean air filter into its original position. Once you’ve completed these steps, restore power to the AC unit and test its performance.
If, after cleaning the AC unit, your room still doesn’t cool down as expected, it’s advisable to contact a professional technician to identify and resolve the issue.
Vu also suggests being cautious when hiring a technician, especially during peak summer heat, to avoid being overcharged. The market rate for air filter cleaning is around VND 100,000 per session, while a comprehensive AC unit cleaning service ranges from VND 150,000 to VND 200,000.
Source: Zing
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