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Aircon running but not cold: what this symptom can indicate in Singapore homes

If the indoor unit is running but the room stays warm, cooling is being interrupted somewhere in the system. This symptom can come from more than one cause. Start with pattern checks first before approving major work.

Primary question

My aircon is running but not cold. How do I narrow this down before paying for repair or replacement?

What this symptom can indicate

One visible symptom can come from different failure paths. Start with behavior and timing, not part names.

  • Refrigerant loss pattern: unit improves after top-up, then fails again after a short window
  • Airflow restriction pattern: air is present but weak, with reduced throw or uneven room cooling
  • Control or start-component pattern: intermittent cooling, frequent restart behavior, or unstable cycle timing
  • Setup and usage mismatch: wrong mode, aggressive setpoint changes, or blocked return airflow

How to narrow it before major work

Ask what was checked and what was ruled out before you approve repairs.

  • Track timing: does cooling fail immediately, after 30-60 minutes, or only after recent servicing/top-up
  • Check airflow behavior: strong at start but fading, or consistently weak from the beginning
  • Note recurrence window: if issue returns in weeks after top-up, treat it as leak-path risk until verified
  • Ask for simple proof before replacement advice: what was tested and what was ruled out

Pattern map: what each pattern usually points toward

Use this as a triage map, not a final diagnosis.

  • Not cold right after servicing: review what was serviced first
  • Cold for a short period after each top-up: check for leak causes before repeating top-up
  • Starts cold then warms up later in cycle: prioritize airflow and stability checks
  • Intermittent cooling with abrupt cut-in/out: prioritize control and start-component checks

When to get help fast

Get help quickly if the same symptom returns after paid work, or if the proposed fix suddenly jumps in cost.

In Singapore homes, warm air that keeps returning after top-up often means the leak source still has not been found.

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