The headline might make it sound as if we aren’t in favor of using ductless mini split systems (a.k.a. ductless heat pumps) for home heating and cooling. But we are! We think ductless heat pumps are one of the best solutions for home comfort around, especially for older homes or smaller homes without room for ductwork. Ductless mini split systems are convenient, easy and fast for professionals to install, improve indoor air quality, and have excellent energy efficiency.
But, like any HVAC system, ductless mini splits may need to be repaired at some point. They don’t suffer from the duct-related problems that can plague standard heat pumps and air conditioners, but there are a few specific repair issues they can suffer from. We’re going to go over a few of the ductless heat pump problems you encounter.
No Power
When your HVAC system isn’t turning on properly, your home’s environment can get very uncomfortable very quickly. If your mini-split air conditioner is showing no signs of powering up, check to make sure that it’s actually plugged in to a working connection. You may even unplug the system and plug in a different device to see if it’s your unit or the socket that’s having issues. If it is, in fact, the unit, contact your local technician right away for a diagnostic inspection. Failed Indoor Air Handler
This is both a problem and an example of why ductless mini splits are beneficial. A ductless heat pump sends conditioned air directly into the living space through wall-mounted air handlers placed in different rooms around the house. One of these units can fail because of a broken motor, leading to a room that isn’t being cooled (or heated). However, the failure of a single indoor unit doesn’t affect the other units, so the rest of your home will remain cool while you arrange to have the broken air handler repaired. Poor Cooling
If your home doesn’t feel like it’s the same temperature the thermostat is showing, the problem could be caused by a number of different factors. It may be that you have a leak in your doors or windows, or it could be that the filters are clogged with dust and debris. If none of these are the reason you’re not being cooled as you should, then it’s time to schedule an appointment with your local HVAC professional.
Loss of Refrigerant
Refrigerant leaks are a major problem that can affect heat pumps of all types. If the leaks aren’t repaired and the refrigerant recharged, it will eventually cause a catastrophic breakdown in the compressor — which usually means having to replace the entire outdoor unit. Ductless systems have a higher chance of refrigerant leaks than standard split system heat pumps because they have more refrigerant lines with greater outdoor exposure. Watch for any sign of refrigerant loss, such as ice appearing along the coil of an air handler or all the air handlers losing cooling power, and then call for repair assistance immediately. Don’t run any part of the system until you’ve had HVAC technicians inspect it. Weird Sounds
If you’ve had your ductless system for a little while, then you probably know what it’s supposed to sound like. Make sure that you don’t ignore any usual sounds that crop up while the system is operating. They may seem trivial, but they probably aren’t. Unusual noises are one of the first indicators that homeowners notice when it comes to HVAC problems. What kind of issues the sounds indicate will depend on the sounds. Grinding typically means the air handler bearings are failing. Bubbling means you have air bubbles in your refrigerant line, which means leaks. Make sure you have a professional examine your system if you hear anything strange coming from it.
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