Why Your Aircond Still Not Cold? Here's Why

You switch on the aircond, hoping to cool down—but after a while, it’s still blowing warm air. You sit there thinking, “Why is it still not cold?”

Here in Malaysia, with the kind of heat we get, aircond isn’t a luxury—it’s a daily need. So when it doesn’t work the way it should, it’s not just annoying… it really gets to you. At One Stop 88 Solution Service, we’ve seen this issue come up over and over — and the good news is, it’s usually fixable once you know what’s going on.

Let’s go through the most common reasons why your aircond is not cold, and what you can do about it.

1. Low Refrigerant (Aircond Gas) Level

A big reason why your aircond isn’t blowing cold air is because the gas inside — what most of us just call “aircond gas” — has run low.

This gas is what makes the whole cooling process work. It pulls the heat out of your room and throws it outside. If the level drops, usually from small leaks or just wear and tear, the aircond will still blow air, but it won’t feel cold.

Things you might notice:

• The room doesn’t get cool even after the aircond runs for a while

• Ice showing up on the indoor unit or along the pipes

• A hissing or bubbling noise, which often means there’s a leak

What to do: Don’t just keep topping up the gas. If there’s a leak, the problem will come back. Best to get a technician to check the system, fix any leaks, and then refill the gas properly.

 Need a professional to refill your aircond gas? We’ve got you covered.

2. Dirty Filters or Coils

If your aircond filter or evaporator coil is clogged with dust and dirt, airflow gets restricted.

This prevents the system from cooling the air efficiently.

In homes and shop lots around Klang Valley, we’ve noticed this especially happens when airconds are used daily but not serviced regularly.

What you might notice:

• Airflow feels weak

• The unit smells musty

• Cooling is inconsistent

Solution:Cleaning your filters every month can help, but deep cleaning by a technician is needed every 3 to 6 months — depending on how often you use it and your environment (pet hair, cigarette smoke, open windows, etc.).

3. Thermostat Problems

Sometimes the aircond is fine — the real issue is the thermostat.

If the thermostat isn’t set right or starts acting up, it won’t tell your aircond to cool the room properly.

Some common problems:

• The temperature is set higher than you thought

• The sensor isn’t reading the room temperature correctly

• The batteries are running low or already flat

What you can do:Try lowering the temperature a few degrees and see if the aircond responds. If it doesn’t, swap out the batteries or get the thermostat checked. In some cases, you might need a new one.

4. Fan Motor Malfunction

Your aircond has both an indoor fan and an outdoor unit fan. If either of them fails, heat won’t be transferred out of your home — and your room stays warm.

You might hear odd sounds or notice that the fan isn’t spinning even when the aircond is on.

Fix:This usually involves replacing the fan motor, which should be done by a certified technician.

5. Blocked or Leaky Ducts (For Centralised Systems)

For central aircond systems in larger homes, offices, or restaurants, the ductwork might be the culprit.

If there's a leak or blockage in the duct, cool air won’t reach certain rooms, or the entire system loses efficiency.

You’ll notice:

• Uneven cooling across rooms

• Aircond working harder, but still not cooling

• Higher electricity bills

Solution:Duct inspection and sealing by professionals can solve this. It’s a more advanced service but worth doing if you have a ducted system.

6. Compressor Failure

The compressor is like the heart of your aircond. If it stops working, the cooling won’t happen — no matter how much gas you refill or how clean the filters are.

This problem shows up more in older units or ones that have been pushed too hard without regular servicing.

What you might notice:

• Aircond turns on but the room never cools

• Loud humming or clicking sounds

• Outdoor unit not running at all

What to do:A broken compressor is serious. Sometimes it can be repaired, but in many cases replacement is the only choice. It depends on your unit’s age and your budget.

7. Aircond Too Small for the Room

Sometimes the unit itself is fine — it’s just too small for the space.

If the horsepower (HP) isn’t enough, the aircond will run non‑stop but still struggle to cool the room, especially during hot afternoons.

Example:A 1HP unit usually won’t cut it for a big living room with wide windows and direct sunlight.

Tip:Check the HP of your aircond and match it to your room size. If it’s underpowered, you may need to upgrade or add another unit.

8. Poor Installation or Old Piping

Bad installation can cause a lot of problems. Things like pipes bent too sharply, poor insulation, or mismatched units can all reduce performance.

In older houses or buildings, the copper pipes might already be worn out or corroded, which can lead to leaks or pressure loss.

What to do: If your aircond has been giving you problems since the start, or your place is quite old, it’s worth having a technician check the installation and the piping.