Heat pumps and ductless AC systems are awesome. If you have one, you probably don’t need us to tell you that. Their efficiency in particular is a huge benefit. But like any complex system, there are always ways that things can go wrong. If problems occur with your heat pump or ductless AC, it’s important to get prompt repairs. Here’s how to spot problems early so you can.
Heat Pump Concerns
- Noise: Once you’re accustomed to the regular sounds of heat pump operation, you should be able to detect any strange new noises. If you hear rattling, banging, buzzing, or other sounds, a qualified technician will be able to determine exactly what’s causing the sound so it can be fixed before the issue gets worse.
- Cost: While using your heat pump more will translate to an increase in your electric bill, if your use remains steady but your bill is going up, something is wrong. Refrigerant leaks, airflow issues, and more can cause the heat pump to work harder than it should, using more energy and driving your bills up.
- Effectiveness: Your heat pump should have no problem keeping your whole home at a comfortable temperature. If you are not experiencing that comfort, and you feel like your heat pump is no longer quite up to the task of cooling your home properly, you need AC repair in Cypress, TX.
- Short Cycling: The whole cooling cycle should last fifteen minutes or more, from the time the compressor kicks on through the period when it’s running and then turns off, until the next time it starts up. Many problems can cause an interruption to that cycle, shutting it down early, so it starts up every few minutes. This means reduced function, as the cycle is not running to completion, and increased cost, as the startup is the part of the cycle that uses the most energy. This can put a lot of pressure on the compressor, so get it repaired before that precious component is damaged.
Ductless AC Concerns
All the above problems can also occur with ductless AC systems. In addition, there are some unique aspects of the ductless system which means other issues are likely.
- Moisture: In a central AC system, all the cooling power is concentrated in one unit, and all the condensation is dealt with in one place. Because your ductless system is split into multiple sections, with air handlers in different parts of your home, moisture is drawn from the air in all those places. This means the drainage system is more complex. Dripping from an air handler or water stains on the wall below the air handler can occur from leaking condensate or a clog in the drain. The smell of mildew is another sign of moisture problems. Mold can only grow where there’s moisture.
- Fan Problems: Again, with multiple air handlers, there are multiple fans, while a central AC system only has one fan in the indoor unit. More moving parts means more chances that something will break down. If a fan is off-kilter or broken, or the motor running it is struggling, you may hear rattling or clattering noises or experience decreased airflow from that air handler.
Prompt repair makes all the difference. For example, a clattering fan might only require a quick and easy repair, but a fan allowed to rattle itself loose until it flies free and hits another component might require much more extensive repairs.
Reach out to Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning, The Best Care for Your Air.