The most common reasons for a mini split to not blow cold air in the summertime are the wrong thermostat settings, a refrigerant leak, or a clogged condenser coil. Each of these problems requires very different solutions — and costs. Proper maintenance prevents most of them. Your mini split should keep your home at a constant temperature no matter how hot it gets outside. But, if something’s wrong with it, the air coming through the air handlers may not feel cool. Or, there’s no circulation at all.
Wrong Thermostat Settings
Leaving your system on a winter thermostat setting, or using the wrong features, can result in no air coming through the air handlers. Or warm air when you want cooling. Ensure each air handler’s thermostat is set to “Cool” and “Auto.” If it’s still on “Heat, or if the temperature is set too high, you won’t get any cooling. Meanwhile, “Fan Mode” circulates the air without heating or cooling it.
Clogged Air Filter
The air filter in each air handler catches dust and dirt from the air as it enters your unit. When that filter gets too full, it won’t allow the air to pass through. When warm air doesn’t pass all the way through the system, it doesn’t get cooled. Clean your air filters once a month whenever your mini split is running. And, every three months when it’s not. If the filter is visibly clogged or very dirty, it’s been too long between cleanings.
Refrigerant Leak
If there’s a refrigerant leak, then there’s nothing moving the heat out of your air handler. Warm air enters the system, doesn’t get cooled, and recirculates at the same temperature. Related: The Signs (And Risks) Of A Mini Split That’s Not Installed Properly. Call your HVAC company if you notice a hissing sound or chemical smell near your heat pump or air handlers. You won’t see any refrigerant because it will be warm and in gas form.
Clogged Condenser Coil
The condenser coil is the part in the air handler that draws the heat from the air as it passes through the unit. But, the coil can get clogged with tiny particles that make it past the filter. Mold and bacteria buildup are also very common. These contaminants prevent air from passing over the coil, which means there’s no way to remove the heat from it. Once again, the result is the air recirculating without any cooling.
If you’ve never had your mini split cleaned before, start there. It’s a different service than a repair, and often cheaper. And, since a dirty system also causes other problems, which we’ll talk about in a moment, the cleaning also addresses those other issues. If you’ve checked the filter and thermostat, and there aren’t any signs of leaks or other problems, start with a cleaning.
TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM YOURSELF
- Check the thermostat batteries. They might be dead. Pop in some new ones, and your AC should start right up.
- Reset the circuit breaker. Head over to the breaker box and see if any of the breakers have tripped. If one has, check for shorts in the wiring connected to that circuit. If there aren’t any shorts, set the breaker back into place. Your mini-split might start working again. If the breaker keeps tripping, consider whether other devices or equipment are connected to the same circuit as the mini-split.
- Check for ice on the coil. The system can shut off if airflow is so restricted that ice forms on the AC coil. In most cases, ice on the coil means it’s well past the time you changed your air filter. If there’s ice on the coil even though the air filter is clean, you may have other problems that require an HVAC professional.
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