In this How to make a portable air conditioner colder guide, I will be giving you some tips and tricks that can boost the cooling efficiency of your AC.
And the good news is that since you won’t be adjusting the thermostat settings, the aircon won’t consume more energy.
Now, here’s what you can do…
How to make a portable air conditioner colder
Before we have a look at these tips and tricks, let me briefly mention that you want to confirm that you have set your AC to cooling mode.
As you well know, the other modes such as fan mode and dry mode will not cool your room.
With that out of the way, here are some hacks that can make your air conditioner run colder…
Portable air conditioner hacks – how to make an air conditioner run colder
1. Confirm that there is enough space around the AC
Generally, you want to make sure that there are at least 20 inches of free space on all sides of your air conditioner.
This way, you will allow for proper ventilation and airflow to and from the AC.
In turn, this will boost its cooling performance.
2. Close the windows and doors
Another good way to increase your AC’s cooling efficiency is by minimizing the amount of heat in your room.
And, what other better way than closing the windows and doors?
Let me put it this way: Your room is likely not to cool if warm air is flowing into the room through the doors/windows.
So, be sure to close your windows and doors – only open them when need be.
And while still on heat from outside…
3. Make sure to close blinds and curtains to reduce exposure from the sun
You see, direct sunlight tends to reduce the cooling efficiency of your AC due to the added heat.
Bearing that in mind, make sure that you’ve not put your unit in direct sunlight.
And oh, if possible, keep out the sunlight by covering the windows with blinds/curtains.
4. Clean the filters
Here’s the thing: Dirty filters are notorious for impeding proper airflow through your portable AC.
As a result, this will lower the air conditioner’s cooling efficiency.
So, be sure to regularly clean the filters also.
5. Check the exhaust hose
Another common cause that I have come across in my line of work as a repair person is a kinked/crushed exhaust.
And at times, the end of the hose might have some clogs or other obstructions that might prevent proper airflow.
So, start by straightening any kinks that might be along the hose.
And don’t forget to remove any clogs that might be in there.
Something else: Do not extend the hose as this will impede heat removal by the AC. Instead, move the AC closer to the window or door.
6. Increase the fan speed
Most ACs come with three fan speeds: Low, Mid, and High.
With that in mind, increasing the fan speed will increase the airflow and the cooling efficiency of the AC.
However, it is important to note that this will come at a price… Setting a higher fan speed will also increase the noise level of your AC.
7. Make use of fans
If your house has fans, turning them on would enhance airflow within the house.
As a result, your portable air conditioner would be able to cool down the air at a faster and more effective rate.
So, if you’ve some fans, be sure to turn them on.
8. Confirm that you are using the right AC size
Long story short, using a small size AC might also be the reason your aircon is not cooling as it should.
For the most part, portable ACs come in a package that indicates what room size they are designed for.
With that in mind, a quick way to know what size of AC you need is to multiply your room’s area (in sq. ft.) by 20.
Now, if you note that the AC you’re using is too small for your room, you might want to get a larger AC.
9. Confirm that the refrigerant is not leaking
Finally, if your portable air conditioner is still having problems blowing cold air, it could be that the refrigerant is leaking.
So, be sure to be on the lookout for this.
However, due to its toxic nature, it’s best to let an EPA-licensed technician seal the leak.
How to make a portable air conditioner colder (how to make a portable air conditioner work better)– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can portable air conditioners be recharged?
Unfortunately, most portable ACs do not have recharging ports on them where you could add the refrigerant.
Nonetheless, it’s possible for a skilled tech to patch the leak, add a recharging port and recharge the unit.
But, for such a service, you’d end up paying close to $1,000 (which obviously wouldn’t make much sense).
As a result, you’re better off buying a new unit.
Does a portable air conditioner have to sit on the floor?
Due to the position of its vents (on top), it’s best to sit a portable AC on the floor.
This way, it is able to effectively cool your room at a faster rate.
Additionally, the floor will offer stability for the AC as the motor causes quite some vibrations. And, these vibrations would otherwise damage internal components such as the compressor and copper pipes.
How to make a portable air conditioner colder – recap
In summary, you can make your portable air conditioner run colder by doing the following:
- Ensuring that there is enough space around the AC.
- Closing the windows, doors, and curtains.
- Cleaning the filters.
- Straightening and unclogging the exhaust hose.
- Increase the fan speed.
- Turning on other house fans (if available).
- Confirm that you are not using a small AC.
- Confirm that the refrigerant is not leaking.