How to Troubleshoot a Home Air Conditioner That Is Too Cold

Turn off and unplug the air conditioner prior to performing any cleaning or maintenance.

While most air conditioners are fairly straightforward to use, problems may occasionally occur with the unit, such as when the air conditioner produces air that is too cold. Troubleshooting this issue may help find the source of the problem and possibly offer a solution.

1. Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature and allow several hours for the temperature to change. Make sure the thermostat is not installed in a location that warms too much due to sun exposure or warm air from furnaces, windows, doors or other heating units.

2. Turn off the air conditioner and unplug it from the power supply. Examine the condenser coils, which are typically located on the back side of the unit. Remove the access cover and use a can of compressed air, available at most hardware stores, to blow away any excess dirt and debris from the coils. The dirt can also be wiped away with a soft brush. Wipe down the bottom of the air conditioner and replace the access cover.

3. Empty the condensate reservoir, as the air conditioner may not function properly if the reservoir is full.

4. Make sure the vents and grilles are not blocked or obstructed, which may cause the unit to overcompensate. Wipe down the vents and grilles with a clean, damp cloth.

5. Contact an authorized service technician for assistance if the steps described here do not fix the problem.