Common Ductless Mini-Split Issues and How to Fix Them | Maintaining a properly working heater, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant responsibility for householders. It’s essential to stay on top of duct issues, considering a home’s ducts are comparable to a person’s lungs. Air ducts are vital features, as they’re responsible for delivering air throughout the house and capable of air removal. It’s crucial to remember that an air duct system can circulate more than air. Bacteria, dirt, mold, dander, dust mites, allergens, pollen, and other particles can infest air ducts. By filtering these particles in the air, air ducts can impair how you and any housemates living with you breathe, even triggering asthma attacks and allergies.
Some homeowners may ask: what about ductless AC systems? If you’re using a ductless mini-split system, some of the same concerns for breakdowns exist, as well as different ones since ductless units have separate air handlers. Your mini-split system may experience problems that aren’t obvious. Listed below are common issues that may occur with ductless systems and how you can fix them to improve your home’s indoor air quality.
Blower Breaks
Ductless mini-split systems contain a blower—a fan responsible for blowing air through the unit. The blower is a significant component of how ductless air conditioners operate, so if the blower doesn’t work how it should, this can hurt your unit’s cooling power. Furthermore, having a broken blower makes it more likely that the evaporator coil will freeze.
If your system contains cool air that can’t expel itself, the temperature could get so low that it results in an icy coil. Ultimately, this can keep refrigerant from flowing through the air conditioner properly and contribute to more severe issues.
Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant leaks can occur with ductless mini-split systems, units with ductwork, and any air conditioning system based on refrigerant. Formicary corrosion makes refrigerant leaking more likely to occur with indoor units. The mixture of volatile organic compounds, such as those included in some household chemicals and products, with copper refrigerant lines can result in a reaction that eats through copper. Refrigerant is a chemical compound that absorbs environmental heat and provides cool indoor air after running through compressors and evaporators. Some signs of refrigerant leaks include a frozen evaporator coil, hissing noises, tiny bubbles around the refrigerant line’s impaired area, and reduced heating and cooling power. Leaks can cause health problems, so contact an HVAC expert immediately if your mini-split has refrigerant troubles.
Clogged Condensate Line
Air conditioners can naturally produce condensation. One of several differences between typical AC systems and ductless minis is that the traditional central AC contains a condensate line, pan, and drain to get rid of condensation. However, in ductless mini-split systems, the condensate line runs from the air handler to outdoors through the wall. Clogs can result when bacteria and mold grow in the condensate line. Leaving this issue unchecked can cause water damage to the walls. If your condensate line has clogs and leaks, you should turn the system off and immediately call for ductless mini-split repair.
Obtain Professional Fixes
When any of these problems occur, they could be due to dirt or debris build-ups in your ductless mini’s outdoor unit and filters or troubles with the electrical system. Dealing with electrical issues can be hazardous, so it’s a good idea to leave troubleshooting your ductless mini-split system up to the experts.
Qualified, skilled service technicians will inspect your ductless mini’s outdoor unit for any built-up dirt or debris that prevents it from performing efficiently. These professionals can expertly clean and lubricate your unit to help avoid issues and give it high efficiency. Additionally, they’ll check the circuit breakers and make sure they’re intact, as a damaged electrical system can keep your unit from working at all.
Expert service technicians, especially those experienced in offering emergency service, can provide thorough inspections, cleanings, repairs, and replacements that not only enable your ductless mini-split system to run as it should but also perform better than ever.
