What indicates that an air conditioner is functioning properly?

The presence of the delta temperature is an important indicator of an air conditioner's proper functioning. Delta temperature refers to the difference in temperature between the air coming into the air conditioning unit and the air being expelled from it. A well-functioning air conditioner will show a significant drop in temperature as it removes heat from the indoor air, indicating effective cooling.

For example, if the return air temperature is significantly higher than the temperature of the air being blown out after cooling, this suggests that the air conditioning system is efficiently removing heat from the space. Monitoring this temperature difference allows technicians to assess the performance of the unit, ensuring cooling capacity is maintained and pointing to an efficient refrigerant cycle.

Evaluating this temperature difference is more directly related to the actual performance of the air conditioning unit compared to other factors. While the noise level, external airflow, and visual inspection can provide some insights on functioning, they may not give a concrete indication of the unit's cooling efficiency.