1. Is the filter dirty?

No matter which type of air conditioner you have, a clogged air filter
restricts airflow, decreasing efficiency and reducing the unit’s ability to cool the air effectively.
If you haven’t cleaned the filter in your window or portable air conditioner recently, make sure
you do and then check it periodically. For central AC systems, check the filter manufacturer’s
recommendation for when to swap in a new one. In CR’s tests, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning) filters last three to 12 months.

Just keep in mind that if your central air system is running constantly or if you have pets, you’ll
need to change your filters more often. “When we get calls about central air units that aren’t
working well, nine times out of 10 it’s because of a dirty filter,” says Stewart Unsdorfer, the
owner of Central Heating & Air Conditioning in Cleveland.

Window AC Checklist
2. Is it too sunny inside? If your AC is in a window that gets direct sunlight in the heat of the
day, it will have to work harder to cool your space. If you have a choice, move it to a shadier
spot. If you don’t, keep your shades and curtains drawn during the day to block the sun and
prevent it from heating up your house.

3. Is warm air leaking in? Check the seals around your window AC to make sure hot air isn’t
getting in and cold air isn’t seeping out. Reseal around your unit with weather stripping if
necessary.

“Most new window units come with insulation panels to place over the plastic adjustable side
panels,” says Chris Regan, who oversees our air conditioner tests. “But to maximize efficiency,
you’ll still need to use weather stripping around the perimeter of the unit. And always use the
manufacturer’s installation and safety hardware.”

4. Is your window AC vibrating? Air conditioners make plenty of noise, including the whir of
the fan and the sound of the compressor cycling on and off. But if you hear a vibrating noise, it
may mean that your unit was installed incorrectly. Make sure it’s sitting securely in the window,
and review the installation instructions in your owner’s manual to confirm that no steps were
missed.

Central AC Checklist
5. Is the thermostat on the right setting? With a smart or programmable thermostat, you can
control the temperature in your home more easily so that it’s comfortable when you’re there and
a bit warmer when you’re not. If the temperature seems off, make sure the thermostat isn’t
exposed to direct sunlight, which may cause it to register the wrong temperature.

6. Are the registers dirty or blocked? If you have a forced-air heating and cooling system,
regularly vacuum the registers to remove any dust buildup. Make sure that furniture and other
objects aren’t blocking the airflow through your registers.
7. Are plants crowding the compressor? The outdoor compressor for central air needs
adequate airflow to work correctly, so make sure there’s at least 2 to 3 feet of space between it
and any plants or structures. There should also be 5 feet of clearance between the top of the unit
and any trees above.

8. Did you remember the annual checkup? An inspection by an HVAC technician can catch
any serious problems before they get worse and leave you hot and bothered. The technician will
check all the moving parts as well as the refrigerant, and recharge the system if necessary.

Need a New Window AC?

If your room air conditioner is beyond repair, you can find one that did well in our tests for a
little over $200 for a small unit and from about $400 and up for a bigger one. Make sure you
match the size of the air conditioner to the room it’s meant to cool. Below, we list models in each
size that performed well in CR’s tests. You can find even more in our full air conditioner ratings.

1. Clogged air filter

If the air conditioner does not cool, the air filter might be clogged. In such case, air cannot flow
through properly which greatly reduces the cooling capacity of the air conditioner. Either clean
the air filter or replace it as needed.

Our Pick
Nirvana Being Better Health Today

Nanotech Split Wall-Mounted AC Filter

Nirvana Being Nanotech AC Filter has electro spun nanofibers infused with antibacterial
additives to trap even the smallest airborne particles. Exclusive nanofiber captures all airborne
contaminants and is certified to filter down to 100 nanometers (0.1 micron) with a 99.7%
filtration efficiency

Here are some more Air Filters that acts as Air Purifiers as well available online:

1. Nirvana Being Nanotech Split (Wall-Mounted) AC Filter

2. 3M AC Filters for converting Split AC into air Purifier [Dust, Pollen & Allergens, 4
Sheets, 2 Change Indicators]
3. 3M AC Filters for converting Split AC into air Purifier [Dust & Pollen, 4 Sheets, 2
Change Indicators] 
4. 3M Anti Pollution Filter for Converting AC into Air Purifier

2. Dirty coils
If the air conditioner is not cold enough the condenser coils may be dirty and loaded with debris.
In an AC, the condenser is like a radiator that dissipates heat (which was removed from the air).
The condenser coil must be clean to dissipate heat outside. As the coils get dirtier the air
conditioner becomes less efficient, which makes it work harder to cool the room. If the coils are
dirty enough, the unit will never be cold enough and will not be able to cool the room.

Our Pick
Heebo Foam Based Air Conditioning Cleaner & Disinfectant

Air Conditioning Cleaner & Purifier

Removes odors from ductwork and freshens your air conditioner will work more efficiently
thereby saving electricity and maintenance

If you wish to clean DIY, we have some more recommendations for you:-

1. Stainless Steel Fin Comb Brush for AC Blade Radiator Cooling Straightening Cleaning
Tool 
2. Real Life Solution Plastic AC Fin Comb Set, Straightener, Cleaner, Condenser,
Evaporator, Cleaning Tool (Blue)
3. KetZeal Plastic Cleaning Tool Kit Wire Brushes with Brass, Nylon, Stainless Steel
Bristles (Set of 3)

Our Pick
Stylista Split AC Service Wash Bag

AC service wash bag

Smart ac wash covers are very easy to use and maintain spotless surroundings even after the
service of the ac.

To avoid dirt and mess while cleaning your AC Coils please consider these other
recommendations as well:-

1. Real Life Solution Split AC Wash Bag, Service Cleaning Cover, Servicing Kit with
Apron (Black)
2. Split AC Wash Bag, Service Cleaning Cover 

3. Insufficient coolant
The coolant circulates through the evaporator coils and cools the air flowing over it and
eventually sends cool air into the room. So when the level of this coolant becomes insufficient,
the AC fails to cool. At this stage call a PRO for coolant top up and refill.

4. Faulty compressor
A compressor is the heart of an air conditioning unit which is responsible for cooling your room.
If the air conditioner does not cool, the compressor might be defective. The compressor is a
motor which compresses the refrigerant or coolant and circulates the refrigerant through the
evaporator and condenser coils. If the compressor goes bad the cooling cycle does not start and
the AC fails to cool.

5. Faulty thermostat
A thermostat is a sensor that senses the room temperature and hints the compressor to start or
stop the cooling cycle. If the thermostat is defective, the air conditioner does not cool or may
cool continuously.

6. Defective parts
The other possible technical reasons behind AC not cooling can be a faulty run capacitor of the
compressor, defective control board, bad thermistor, choked capillary, faulty motor etc.

Our Pick
REAL LIFE SOLUTION 50 uf/MFD 370-440 VAC Volts Round Dual Run
Capacitor

50/60 Hz AC Electric

REAL LIFE SOLUTION AC Electric Motor/compressor Run Capacitors are designed

specifically for replacement of OEM single and three phase motor capacitors. These units are
housed in aluminum casing with a steel cap. All units are PCB-free

Some of the commonly used Spare Parts you can get online:-

Capacitors

1. Litost Li Capacitor for Air Conditioner AC 440Volt 50/60 Hz 50+6 MFD +-5% Heavy
Duty (Match & Buy)
2. Concap 50 + 2 MFD Dual Capacitor for Conditioner 
 3. Concap 45 MFD Capacitor for Air Conditioner 

Indoor Fan Motor

Our Pick
Rexnord Aluminium 5 W 8313-05 A2 Fan Motorr

Above 100M Ohms at 500 VDC Connection

Motor Design: Shaded Pole Motor Housing: Aluminium Die -cast Bearing: Sleeve Bearing
Operating Voltage: 230V (185 - 245 VAC)

Outdoor Fan Motor

Our Pick

Raptor Air Conditioner Motor

Motor 55 W 900 RPM

It is Air Conditioner Motor 55 watt 900 RPM Outdoor Unit

 1. Raptor Air Conditioner Motor 63 watt 1150 RPM Outdoor Unit RA 
2. Raptor Air Conditioner Motor 118 watt 930 RPM Window Unit RA 262 
3. Air Conditioner Motor 93 watt 1050 RPM Outdoor Unit RA 203 

7. High atmospheric temperature

An AC has an optimum operating temperature (surrounding temperature) at which it can work
most effectively. If the temperature shoots up beyond the optimum temperature limit, the
efficiency of the air conditioner goes down. Sometime it is so hot outside that a stage is reached
where the compressor stops working completely.

8. Undersized AC
A common mistake people make is that they buy an AC based on their budget and not based on
the requirement of the room. A small AC in a huge room will always find hard to cool the room
in peak summers. The size of the AC should be according to the size of the room.

9. Faulty AC Remote
There can also be a situation when the remote fails to send temperature change signals to AC
unit. A simple replacement of remote will do the trick. Here, are a few Brand specific AC
remotes and a universal remote that you can get on Amazon via reputed sellers:

Our Pick
GENERIC Remote

Samsung AC Remote

Bring home this Remote Compatible for Samsung AC Remote . It comes in White coloured.

1. Remote Compatible for Voltas Smart Split Ac Remote Control with WiFi Function
2. Remote Compatible for O General Split AC
3. Remote Compatible for VOLTAS/Onida/GREE/ELECTROLUX/GODREJ AC 
4. Upix® AC Remote No. 68 with Backlight & Timer, Compatible with Hitachi AC 

Recommendations for saving AC Electricity Consumption

If you enjoy the cool air from your AC but are sweated at the end of the month after seeing your
electricity bills, then there is a robust system that can help you save a huge amount of money and
power savings over a long period of time. Check out this AC Module that helps run all your
heavy duty home appliances for more than 25 years