Mini split air conditioners have a wide range of uses for all sorts of indoor spaces, whether it’s for homes or businesses. The system is one of the greatest solutions for most central air systems, allowing owners to cool specific rooms rather than the entire floor or building. Because of this, mini split systems lower the total cost of your energy bill, effectively saving you money that can be used on something else. However, mini splits are like many other appliances with Mini Split Problems. Without the proper maintenance and care, these systems will eventually start breaking down, and issues can start popping up. Sometimes, the issue isn’t all that large and can be solved easily with something cleaning out the filter in the evaporator. If the problem seems to be far more complicated, don’t call a professional right away. There just may be a simpler solution to your problem.
This article covers some of the main problems you might find with your mini split and the ways you can begin with mini splits repair in Phoenix.
Table of Contents
Problem 1: Your mini split won’t turn on
Sometimes, you might find that when you go to turn on the mini split, the system doesn’t start. This is actually a simple problem, and it is one of the most prevalent issues individuals have with the system. However, there are a few options for dealing with this problem.
One reason is that there’s an operational error stopping it from responding. First, check that the mini split is set to cool – or hot, depending on the weather – and that it’s on “on”. If you’ve only just recently had the system installed, there’s a chance that the settings aren’t correct yet.
Another simple solution is that the remote’s batteries have run out of power. Because the micro split was installed out of reach, the only way to turn the system on and off was via the remote. Similarly, if you have a more modern mini split air conditioner that can be turned on through an app, make sure your Wi-Fi is working as it should. Thankfully, both of these are more than likely to be caught and fixed beforehand, but it’s safer to check.
Finally, check to see if it’s only your mini split that isn’t working. If the settings are correct, your remote has working batteries, but your other appliances aren’t turning on either, the main issue is your house’s power instead. However, if everything is fine, you may need to call a professional.
Problem 2: Ice has built up on the system’s coils
Another issue is if it’s a cold night and your mini split is simply blowing air out of the system instead of actually heating the air. The cause is fairly simple: condensation forms on the coils when the system is used to heat a room at lower temperatures. Eventually, that water freezes, reducing or even stopping the system’s coils from working effectively.
An easy way to solve this problem is to remove the ice, naturally. To begin, turn off and unplug the mini split from its power source. You can either wait until the ice melts or carefully remove any pieces of ice yourself. Once all the ice is gone, wipe the coils and the rest of the system with a dry cloth and reconnect it to the power source.
Ice can accumulate on the coils for a variety of causes. One possibility is that the coils had attracted too much dirt, preventing them from performing their function. All that’s required is a quick wipe down to get it back up and running. Another cause is a lack of refrigerant running through the system. When the mini split is set to heat, the refrigerant is what draws the heat into the system from outside. Low levels of refrigerant mean less heat. To solve this, you can purchase and refill it.
Problem 3: The mini split doesn’t always do what you need it
If you turn on the mini split, and it doesn’t turn on except at certain angles or doesn’t seem to work until you manually turn it on, there may be communication problems. This can typically show up as bad communication between the remote and the mini split, a poor signal, or the system working inconsistently. One of the main causes is bad wiring.
Check the user manual that came with the mini split and your local electrical codes to make sure that the wire used to communicate between the remote and the system is correct. Most mini split air conditioners use an 18 gauge or 14 gauge wire to work properly, with smaller gauges being thicker wires to carry more power. The communication wire is also likely to be stranded – meaning it’s formed out of smaller individual wires bundled together. If the wire is correct or you aren’t sure if it is, it would be best to call an electrician for help.
Takeaway
Many issues may pop up when dealing with a mini split air conditioner. They can extend from ice forming on the coils due to condensation to miscommunication and poor signals to the system from the remote. Some of these problems can be solved easily by yourself with a change of batteries or just wiping the system clean of dirt and moisture. Yet, if more severe problems appear or these solutions don’t help, calling a professional is highly recommended.
Always keep in mind mini splits are like many HVAC systems in the fact that they will more than likely wear down and have problems. Know where the owner’s manual is when these problems come up, as some solutions can easily be found in the manual. If not, keeping it on hand for when a technician comes to repair the system greatly helps both parties. For your mini split air conditioner to keep working at peak condition, do regular checkups and keep up to date on maintenance.
