Ductless systems—whether for heat pumps or just for AC—are pretty excellent. They’re efficient, and they avoid many of the pitfalls of systems that have ductwork. But, like any sort of HVAC system, things can occasionally go wrong, and when they do, it’s best to get repairs as soon as you realize there’s a problem.
That means you need to know, as soon as possible, that something has started to go wrong. How can you tell? We’ll go over some common signs that your ductless system needs repair. When you notice any of these symptoms, you need an HVAC technician, stat.
Unusual Sounds
This is true of most systems and appliances: if it makes a noise it hasn’t generally made, you should be concerned. Heat pump and AC sounds should be low and steady, just the humming compressor and whirring fans. If you hear grinding, banging, rattling, squealing, clicking, buzzing, whistling, hissing, bubbling, or anything else unexpected, your system needs repair.
Unusual Smells
An overheating fan motor smells like hot dust. An electrical fire can smell like fish! Leaking refrigerant has a chemical smell that is oddly sweet. Then there are smells associated with moisture, which is a higher risk with a ductless system. Bacteria growing in a condensate pan or drain will smell sour, and of course, a mildew smell means there’s mold growing in there.
Uneven Temperatures
In a ductless system, each air handler has its own thermostat, so you can set each zone to a different temperature. But if you’re noticing uneven performance, with some areas cooling the way you want them to and others staying too warm, you need ductless air conditioner repair in Mandeville, LA. It might be as simple as one of those thermostats needing to be recalibrated.
Short Cycling
Just like any heat pump or AC system, or even a furnace for that matter, short cycling is a potential problem. This is when the system shuts off as soon as it starts up, but then tries again moments later. This needs to be addressed promptly, because it puts a ton of strain on your compressor and uses a lot more energy than normal operation does.
Rising Electric Bills
One of the best things about your ductless system is its efficiency. If that starts to slip, and you notice an increase in your electric bill even though you haven’t changed your usage patterns, you just might have a problem with your ductless system. Many issues can cause the heat pump or AC to work harder, struggling against the problem, and they need more energy to do that.
Moisture
As mentioned above, moisture is of particular concern with ductless systems. That’s because each air handler has its own condensate pan and drainage line. If you see any dripping or water staining around an air handler, or see or smell mold, there’s a high likelihood that you’ve got a blocked drain. Water damage is terrible for your home, so get it repaired immediately!