When You Turn on the Air Conditioner and Only Feel Wind but No Cool Air, Check This Part and Fix It

The air conditioner is an essential device during hot summer days. However, many people experience the problem of the air conditioner blowing air without cooling. Even when set to Cool mode, with the temperature lowered and the fan running at maximum speed, the room still feels hot.

According to distributors and long-time technicians, the main reason why the air conditioner runs but does not cool is because the filter screen has not been cleaned for a long time. Dust accumulates on the filter, blocking the airflow from the unit into the room.

The owner of an air-conditioner repair shop on Luong The Vinh Street (Hanoi) said that about 70% of the cases where the AC fails to cool are due to dirty outdoor and indoor units.

In addition, a dirty filter forces the AC to work harder, consuming more electricity and creating noise.
A home appliance expert noted that studies show an air conditioner can lose about 1% efficiency each week because of dust buildup on the filter. A clogged filter reduces airflow, slows cooling, and can increase electricity consumption by 5–15% compared to when the AC was first installed.

Therefore, if your AC does not cool as expected or makes loud noises, the first thing to do is check the filter. After a period of use, you should also remove the filter and clean it regularly.

Experts recommend that for households using AC daily, the filter should be cleaned every 3–4 months. For less frequent use, once every 6 months may be sufficient.
For companies, restaurants, or factories, filters should be cleaned monthly because the units operate more often in dusty environments.

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How to Clean the AC Filter

Most air conditioners accumulate dust in the filter screen, aluminum fins, and air outlets of the indoor unit. For the outdoor unit, dust often gathers in the fan or inner corners.

Cleaning can be done at different levels. If the AC has not been serviced for a long time, you should call a professional for a thorough cleaning. They will use tools such as high-pressure pumps to wash the aluminum fins and related parts.

If cleaning is done regularly, you can remove the filter yourself and use a brush or vacuum cleaner to clear dust from the air vents.
Issues such as water leakage from the indoor unit or slow cooling are usually caused by lack of regular cleaning.

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Steps to Clean the Air Conditioner

Step 1: Disconnect power completely by switching off the breaker or unplugging the unit to ensure safety.

Step 2: Open the front cover of the indoor unit and gently remove the dust filter. Typically, each unit has two filters.

Step 3: Wash the filter with water and a brush. Scrub gently to avoid damaging the mesh.

Step 4: Use a dry cloth to absorb excess water, or let the filter air dry naturally. Use a dry brush and cloth to wipe dust from other parts of the unit.

Step 5: Reinstall the filter into its original position.

After cleaning, run the air conditioner to test it. If it still fails to cool, you should contact a technician to determine the exact cause and fix the problem.