does not heat, does not cool, does not turn on

You will not surprise anyone with sophisticated climate technology in apartments, offices and industrial premises. High-precision automation allows you to control the temperature parameters with an accuracy of half a degree, and additional features create a favorable microclimate. Properly selected and installed, air conditioners are able to work for many years, but any complex equipment has its weak points. Some causes of breakdowns of split systems lie in incorrect use, others are caused by objective circumstances. This article will help you figure out why the home air conditioner does not work, as well as independently eliminate the cause of the breakdown.

The external unit of the split system does not work

Start by diagnosing the main elements of the unit. If your air conditioner is cooling, the thermostat must be set to the appropriate option. Please note that the reason why the outdoor unit of the air conditioner does not turn on may be commonplace — the thermostat has stopped working because the set temperature value has already been received. Check if the dry mode is currently running. It is desirable that all settings are set correctly.

Air conditioner compressor does not turn on

The most common cause of this malfunction is the shutdown of this element as a result of overheating. The problem may have the following explanations:

1. The radiator of the outdoor unit is sealed with dirt to such an extent that it leads to a protective opening of the compressor circuit. Regular preventive maintenance of the unit will save you from this problem.
2. An excess of refrigerant in the air conditioner leads to an overload of the compressor and an imbalance in the condenser and evaporator circuits. The pressure should be checked and, if it exceeds the allowable rate, pump out excess refrigerant. Simply releasing refrigerant into the air is prohibited by directives.
3. The fan of the outdoor unit is out of order or blocked by debris, branches, etc.
4. The capillary tubes are clogged with dirt, moisture or chips. The reason for their failure may be poor-quality installation. It is better to entrust the replacement of tubes to specialists.
5. The drying filter can also become clogged with moisture and dirt. The solution to the problem is to replace the drier filter.

In addition to overheating, the cause of compressor dysfunction may be low temperature outside the window. In some models, the cooling mode in this situation simply does not turn on. When working for heating, the air conditioner also has its drawbacks: it may not start at temperatures lower than indicated in the instructions

The reason for the failure of the compressor may be a breakdown of the winding. If you understand the operation of electrical devices, it will not be difficult for you to measure the resistance between the terminals, after turning off the voltage and getting to the supply wires. It is better to entrust this procedure to the people who installed this equipment.

The fan of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner does not spin

First of all, check the settings, as well as the value of the set temperature. Perhaps the motor turned off due to the operation of the thermostat. The problem may lie in the motor winding. It is “called”, determining the resistance parameters according to a special scheme. If everything is bad with the winding, then the engine has “covered itself”, and it is time to replace it.

The fan of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner does not spin, possibly because the disposable fuse has tripped. This usually happens in winter when the fan blades are blocked by ice. To prevent this from happening, inspect the outdoor unit before turning it on. The most accurate diagnosis and prompt repair / replacement can be carried out by employees of specialized stores.

Air conditioner not cooling or dripping

Do not rush to make hasty conclusions, because the unit needs a quarter of an hour to switch between modes — this is inherent in the algorithm of the device. Perhaps you just forgot to turn on the cooling mode after the past spring. Stopping the operation of the air conditioner when switching can be caused by a breakdown of the four-way valve. Its diagnostics and repair should not be carried out independently, entrusting this process to professionals.

A common cause of failure in the operation of the air conditioner may be a malfunction in the electrical network, for example:

• breakage of contacts;
• faulty socket;
• violation of basic network parameters (voltage, frequency), etc.

What if the drainage system does not do its job well, and condensate does not drip from the tube? One of the reasons is the insufficient slope of the drainage tube. This problem will manifest itself immediately after installation. As a rule, water overflows through the sump and is found in completely undesirable places. Another explanation for the lack of condensation may be the low humidity in the room: the water dries up before it flows into the tube. In addition, the option of clogging the drainage paths with dirt, insect larvae, small pebbles that birds like to put into the outlet of the drainage tube of birds is not ruled out — it’s time to carry out preventive cleaning of the equipment.

The air conditioner cools but does not heat

Another problem that owners of split systems face is that the air conditioner does not blow warm air. It should be noted that it is not advisable to use this climate technique as an independent heating system. The cost of electricity is comparable to the high prices for public heating, and the possibilities of budgetary split systems are very limited. Universal air conditioners must be equipped with a heat pump function, which, when turned on, pumps heated air into the room.

It is appropriate to use air conditioning for heating in the off-season, when the central heating system is not yet turned on or is already turned off. Budgetary split systems can work effectively at an external temperature of at least minus five degrees Celsius. The design of the outdoor unit does not tolerate frost well: the evaporator is covered with frost, the valve and condensate in the drain pan freeze over. Freezing of condensate causes a layer of ice to form in the outdoor unit. The lower part of the compressor is in the ice and makes a noise similar to the noise of a rock drill.

You can answer the question why the split system does not heat by checking the freon line. Insufficient amount of refrigerant will drastically reduce the efficiency of the unit in both heating and cooling modes. A common cause of freon leakage is incorrect installation of the line or mechanical damage during operation. The lack of refrigerant in the circuit can be judged after careful measurement of all parameters. In general, it is necessary to check and refuel (if necessary) every 1.5-2 years.

Another reason for the failure of the air conditioner in the winter is the unsuitability of many models for the harsh winter conditions. Before buying this climate equipment, be sure to consult with the seller about the «winter» capabilities of the selected model.

Air conditioner does not work: indoor unit problems

Split system works but does not cool

First of all, do not expect instant cooling immediately after switching on. The real effect begins to affect only after 10-20 minutes (depending on the model). It is possible that the reason for poor cooling performance lies in the incorrectly selected power of the device, which simply cannot cope with the load. That is why complex climate equipment should be bought only in specialized stores, after consulting with the sellers.

The explanation for why the air conditioner does not work may be obstructions in the path of air flow. Check if household items, curtains or blinds are interfering with its normal circulation. If nothing threatens the air flow, and the doors and windows are closed, you should diagnose your equipment. Simply put, take inlet and outlet temperatures with a thermometer. Do not immerse it too deep in the intake grates — this can lead to falling into the fan blades. The temperature difference at the inlet and outlet must be within the limits specified in the data sheet. If this is not the case, serious problems have arisen in the air conditioner itself. It is not recommended to remove them yourself.

Another reason for the lack of the desired cooling effect is that the fan of the indoor unit of the air conditioner does not work. His stop can have the following explanations:

1. The fixing screw on the turbine is unscrewed. Having understood the design of the motor, you can independently find the place where the turbine is mounted on the engine shaft and tighten the fixing screw.
2. The turbine of a new engine can be difficult to scroll (in this case, the indicator lights up and the engine buzzes). Try to find the reason.
3. The bearings were shaken during transportation and fell out of the bushings. Broken bearings are common on worn out engines. If you have technical skills, the entire unit can be removed, disassembled and try to fix the problem.
4. The engine burned out. In this case, you should call a repairman who will diagnose and solve the problem.

The air conditioner does not respond to the remote control

The most important advantage of modern climate technology is the ability to control the operation of equipment remotely. The remote control performs the change of modes, includes additional functions and stops the split system. The failure of this device causes inconvenience to users, forcing them to operate the air conditioner manually. If the air conditioner does not turn on with the remote control, the reasons for this may be the following:

1. In most models, remote control of the air conditioner is carried out at a distance of eight meters. If you stand further away, the air conditioner may not «feel» your command.
2. Perhaps you simply did not understand the English names of the buttons and pressed the wrong thing. It is useful to remember that the mode is selected using the Mode button, turning on and off using On / Off, the fan functions are controlled by the Fan button, and setting the timer is done using the Timer. The remote control also has a Swing button and a Sleep button.
3. The reason for the «death» of the remote control may be dead batteries.
4. Interference with the passage of the infrared beam is caused by contamination of the remote control or the window of the signal receiver on the indoor unit.
5. Mechanical damage, moisture ingress and overheating of the device can also cause damage. Handle the remote control as required by the instructions. In case of damage, contact the technical support service of the company where you purchased the climate control equipment.

Why the air conditioner does not work: conclusions

Many malfunctions in the operation of split systems are associated with poor-quality components and incorrect installation. Problems may arise due to an incorrectly selected model of climate equipment. Some zealous intermediaries, tempted by the low price of goods, import equipment to Ukraine that is not adapted to the harsh conditions of winter. Such air conditioners begin to «strike» at the first sign of frost.

Work efficiency is reduced by incorrectly selected unit parameters. Non-compliance with maintenance instructions and the regularity of preventive maintenance (as required by the technical data sheet) contributes to the creation of problems.

Unfavorable weather conditions, aggravated by the general environmental situation in the region, can lead to rapid wear of split system parts. This must be remembered when buying an air conditioner. Firms that sell climate equipment are required to provide you with all the necessary information about the features and functionality of their products. Each unit of goods must have a factory test stamp, as well as an official manufacturer’s warranty.

Some malfunctions can be fixed on your own, while others require the intervention of professionals. It is better if the specialists of the company that sold you the air conditioner will deal with this. The list of store services should include the possibility of maintenance of the climate equipment being sold. If this is not the case, the likelihood of an accurate diagnosis and prompt repair work is markedly reduced.