DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Ductless Mini Splits’

What Can Cause a Heat Pump to Make Noise?

Monday, November 26th, 2012

It is quite normal for heat pumps to make noises. This is especially true in the cold winter months. Most heat pumps have valves that carry out the task of reversing the flow of refrigerant when you switch between the cooling and heating modes. When the pump goes into defrost during winters, the valve is made to shift position. This is accompanied by a whooshing sound that persists for a few seconds. The compressor tends to get much louder after this. Another time when you may hear sounds is during shutdown when Freon pressure tends to equalize. Both of these are totally normal.

Another case where you may hear loud sounds coming from your heat pump is when the outdoor unit shuts off or starts running. Scroll compressors have a tendency to do this in a more noticeable manner. Similarly, some outdoor units tend to create a buzzing sound even when they are not running. This sound is created by the 24-volt reversing valve coil. Since this doesn’t waste any energy, it is nothing to be worried about. The sound of vibration is another common complaint and is quite difficult to get rid of. Rubber tubing can help in this case, but the vibration is not really doing any harm to your pump.

On the other hand, if you hear very loud sounds which resemble metal hitting metal, it may be time to worry. These sounds are often created when the fan blades hit against ice, wires or even tubing. If this is the case, you need to shut the unit off at once. This is a bad sign and can damage the fan and even the motor to an irreversible state. In fact, a misplaced tube can hit the fan blades and also cause a leak leading the Freon to flow out. Grinding or squealing sounds may point to a similar problem that needs to be fixed promptly. So if you hear any of these sounds, make sure you shut the pump off immediately and call for professional help.

Anything including low refrigerant charge, a faulty reverse valve, and defective motors or compressor valves can cause this problem. So make sure you get it checked by a Naperville heating professional if the problem persists.

Call the Naperville Ductless Mini Split experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling to find out what your options are. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling today!

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Air Conditioning Tip: Types of Repairs Ductless Mini Splits Might Need

Monday, September 17th, 2012

A ductless mini split air conditioning system is no different from a traditional central air conditioner in many ways. The types of repairs you might face during routine operation of your air conditioner are a prime example as any number of issues might develop that you need to deal with. Here are a few and how you should handle them.

Clogged Filters

Each of your satellite units and the outdoor condenser has a filter in it that needs to be cleaned or changed on a regular basis. If any of them gets clogged it can lead to that unit freezing over due to blocked air flow. Freeze ups are not as common in ductless systems but can happen and the result is messy and uncomfortable.

Inoperable Satellite Unit

A ductless system has more components than a traditional central air system. If you have multiple satellite units inside, you can have between 3 and 9 total devices that need to be serviced. So, a single satellite unit is just as important as any other. If one stops working for any reason, it’s possible that it is a standalone problem, but it could also be a systemic problem so the entire system should be inspected. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling to schedule an inspection today. Our cooling experts have been a trusted provider of air conditioning services in Bolingbrook for over 20 years.

Electrical Issues

If your ductless mini split system starts short cycling, the cooling is suddenly inefficient or you hear any strange buzzing or smell burning wiring from the condenser, you should have a professional inspect your entire system immediately. Circuit breaker flips are also a problem if they occur repeatedly.

Refrigeration Line Problems

Each indoor unit has a refrigeration line stretching back to the condenser. While these lines are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and are usually protected during installation, damage can occur. If you notice or suspect damage to any refrigerant lines, turn off your system and call for professional service immediately.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling today, our Bolingbrook air conditioning technicians are experts in air conditioning installation and repair.

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The Benefits of Ductless Mini Splits

Monday, July 9th, 2012

A cooling system is a great comfort during the hottest months of the year. If you’re thinking about upgrading, replacing or installing your Naperville current cooling system, you might want to consider a ductless mini split system. While not as common as systems such as central air conditioning, ductless mini splits can provide a number of benefits and advantages over other cooling systems. Here is some helpful information for you to consider before shopping for a new cooling system. If you have any unanswered questions or concerns, call Duall Heating and Cooling for answers today.

First of all, one of the big advantages that these systems offer is right in the name. If the space that you want to service does not have room for bulky ductwork or if you are in a multifamily home, ductless systems eliminate the need for the ductwork. Like central systems, ductless mini splits have two main components. There is a compressor/condenser unit that is installed outside, and an indoor air handling unit that is generally installed on a wall. A conduit housing the power cable, refrigerant and drainage tubing connects the two components and requires only a small hole to be drilled in doing so. This makes the installation process fast and easy.

Another great benefit of ductless mini split systems is the zoning capability they allow you. If you are using the system to cool multiple rooms you can utilize multiple wall units. This allows you to control the temperature settings of different rooms individually. This is a great way to boost efficiency, as you will not be cooling rooms that do not require it. Remember, increased efficiency generally coincides with increased savings.

Along the same topic of energy efficiency, it’s no secret of the industry that most energy loss in cooling air is the result of duct losses, which account for more than 30% of energy consumption. It can be even less efficient if the ducts themselves are in an unconditioned part of the house such as an attic or basement.

In addition to all of this, there are numerous ways in which you can install your indoor air handling units. They can easily mount on a wall or hang from a ceiling. You can also mount the flush in a drop ceiling or opt for a floor standing model. We’ll leave the interior design options to you.

Weigh the pros and the cons carefully before making any decisions, and call Duall Heating and Cooling with any remaining questions about Naperville air conditioning installation.

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