Does Your Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioner Need a Replacement?

Does your mini split ductless air conditioner need professional help? With the summer in full-swing, cooling loss could leave your home without the interior comfort you expect. Take a look at the top signs your ductless system is ready for a repair or a replacement.

Is Your Home Warm?
Warm spots can point to an AC issue in any type of system. But if you have a ductless air conditioner, this potential problem may take some sleuthing. Unlike central air conditioners, ductless systems cool the interior space in zones. This means one warm room doesn't necessarily signal AC failure.

Before you assume the air conditioner requires a repair:

• Check each cooled room. Only assess the rooms with air handlers. Rooms without air handlers will naturally feel warmer.
• Compare rooms versus the whole home. One warm room may indicate an air handler issue. But consistent warmth across your home is likely a system failure or a refrigerant leak.
• Look for an electrical issue. While you should leave the serious electrical investigation to a professional, you can make sure the system didn't trip a breaker or blow a fuse. Without electricity, your mini split system won't cool your home.

Unlike central air conditioners, clogged, leaky, or damaged ducts won't pose a problem for mini split systems. This eliminates one possible repair issue — but does leave other potential problems. Whether your whole home feels warm or one room seems hotter than normal, you need a professional to assess and repair the unit.

Is Your Air Conditioner Noisy?
Some noise is normal for any type of air conditioner. Window units and central AC systems are typically noisier than ductless models. A mini split air conditioner that sounds like a window or central model may have an operational issue.

If your ductless mini split air conditioner is loud:

• Compare the sounds to its previous noise level. If you have a new system, it may have unexpected noises. Even though a ductless system is typically quiet (in comparison to other air conditioners), it isn't completely silent.
• Inspect the air handlers for mounting issues. Is the air handler properly mounted on the wall? A loose mount could cause noise.
• Call a professional. If there isn't an obvious issue, contact an HVAC technician. The technician will listen to the noise, inspect the air handlers (and the rest of the system), and recommend a repair.

Never attempt to fix a poorly mounted or damaged air handler yourself. Failure to properly correct the issue could result in additional problems.

Do You Have Suddenly High Energy Bills?
A sudden spike in electricity bills could indicate an AC issue that requires a repair or replacement. Without ducts, your mini split system won't suffer costly air leaks. Along with the money you'll save on duct-related cooling loss, the zoned structure of this system allows you to only cool some areas of your home. This means you won't pay to cool unused rooms or areas. But it doesn't mean you won't have electricity costs.

You may not know how much you'll pay monthly to cool your home with a new system. Discuss the average costs with the contractor before installation. This can give you a general idea of what to expect. If your electrical bills are high, consider:

• The size. Bigger isn't always better. An oversized unit (for the space) could force the air conditioner to work harder. This can result in high energy bills.
• The placement. Incorrect air handle placement can also result in increased electricity costs.
• The cooling. How long does it take to cool your home? Long cooling times will increase energy costs.

Size, installation, and time issues are all problems a qualified professional should evaluate. If another contractor failed to install the air handlers in your home correctly, you need to find a new AC company to correct the issue.

Do you need a mini split AC repair? Contact Henry's Service All for more information.