The results of research on the impact of climate change on air conditioner performance and dependability in the tropics are presented in this article. The effect was primarily concentrated on three aspects: cooling or heating load, energy usage, and outside design conditions for the air conditioning system. The relevant articles were divided into three categories, and theoretical and experimental investigations were analyzed. Since the last few decades, many studies have been conducted on the effects of climate change on air conditioners in the tropics, but most of them have focused on current cooling as well as heating demands, regional overall electricity consumption, as well as existing outdoor design requirements for the air conditioning system rather than the potential impacts on heating, ventilation, as well as air conditioning systems. Based on the literature review, more extensive research is required to gain a clearer picture of the climate variation effects on air conditioning systems, so that a comprehensive guideline for future air conditioning system design in the tropics that takes into account possible climate change can be prepared.