My window air conditioner has lost its oomph. How can I diagnose it without having to go through the hassle of removing it from window?
Asked by
Buttonstc (
27605
)
June 16th, 2012
from iPhone
It’s now going on its third spring/summer season. I bought it new and it worked fine for the past two years.
These are the first really hot days and it can’t get my small bedroom below 80 even tho set to maximum cooling and the overhead room fan running It used to work great and could get it to 68–70 when needed routinely with no problem at all.
Could it need a Freon recharge ? (I realize that Freon is no longer legal for environmental reasons, but I’m using the word as a shortcut for whatever the replacement is for simplicity)
About 3weeks ago I took out the filter and washed it thoroughly so it can’t be that I assume since I pulled it out enough today to check that it was not clogged.
I do have a cat who is in this room most of the day if that makes any difference.
I’m not very technically or mechanically adept so any help you can give would be much appreciated.
I’m hoping this is not a case of the modern trend toward planned obsolescense. Only two useful years is kind of ridiculous. I’m hoping I don’t have to get a new one but i have really bad allergies and sinusitis which are severely worsened with humidity. I can’t spend the rest of the summer like this.
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5 Answers
Is the coolant compressor kicking in at all?
Perhaps you already know this, but with most window units, you can hear a humming sound when the compressor’s running, whereas you will only hear the sound of blowing air when the fan is running but the compressor isn’t.
If the compressor isn’t running at all, then there won’t be any reduction in the room temperature.
If the compressor is running but there’s no cooling, then your unit might need a recharge.
If it isn’t running, then it could be a failure in the unit’s thermostatic system or a compressor motor failure.
The lack of cooling could be caused by other things, but first try to determine whether the compressor is running.
Thanks Brian,
Now that you mention it, I’m realizing that there has been no sound other than the fan.
That cycling changing of the compressor on and off is something that one just perceives as background noise after awhile when you get used to it.
So, what’s the next step? I’m assuming after two years that there most likely is no warranty anymore. This was a unit on sale at Sams Club when I got it for $99 and I’m wondering if the cost to repair it might not be almost as much as getting a new one. But I’ve never had to call anyone in the AC repair business before and it’s Sun.
Anybody have any ideas on the range of much they typically charge?
Do you have your unit set to the lowest temperature available?
Is it set in an energy-saving or a fan-only mode?
You didn’t mention cleaning the air filter. Did you? Usually they are either washable or replaceable.
I re-checked all the settings and it’s definitely at lowest temp setting (64) and it is not set for energy saver or fan only. I also turned it off completely for a few mins. and them back on again but the compressor has not come back on all night.
@LuckyGuy
As I previously mentioned, the filter was the first thing that occured to me. I had already washed it out sseveral weeks ago but I pulled it out far enough to check that it wasn’t clogged up yesterday just in case. It’s not a clogged filter.
The compressor hasn’t cycled all night.
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