Air Conditioner Breakdown Chisholm NSW

Fix a 7.0kW Hitachi Split System in Chisholm, NSW

Valley Air Conditioning recently responded to an urgent breakdown call in Chisholm, NSW, where a resident’s 7.0kW Hitachi split system air conditioner had stopped working. With the summer months approaching and temperatures rising, a functioning air conditioning system is essential for home comfort. The resident noticed that the system wasn’t cooling properly and had completely shut down, prompting them to call Valley Air Conditioning for assistance. Upon arrival, our team quickly identified the root cause of the problem—dirty filters restricting airflow, which led to the evaporator coil freezing.

The Air Conditioner Breakdown Call

The resident of Chisholm, like many homeowners, relies heavily on their air conditioning system to maintain a comfortable indoor environment during warm weather. When the 7.0kW Hitachi split system began to underperform and eventually stopped cooling altogether, the problem quickly became apparent. Not only was the air no longer being cooled, but the system had also shut down, and no airflow could be felt from the indoor unit.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Valley Air Conditioning dispatched a team of experienced technicians to the home. The primary concern was to restore the air conditioner’s functionality as quickly as possible, ensuring the resident could enjoy cool, comfortable indoor temperatures again.

Diagnosis: Restricted Airflow and a Frozen Evaporator Coil

When the Valley Air Conditioning team arrived, they began their process by conducting a thorough inspection of the air conditioning unit. The initial checks included testing the system’s electrical components, ensuring that the thermostat was set correctly, and visually inspecting the indoor and outdoor units.

After a few diagnostic tests, it became clear that the issue stemmed from a lack of airflow. The filters were clogged with dust and dirt, preventing air from passing through the system efficiently. This buildup of debris had created a significant airflow restriction, which in turn caused the evaporator coil to freeze over.

In split system air conditioners, the evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air, cooling it down before it’s circulated back into the room. However, when the airflow is restricted due to dirty filters, the coil cannot effectively absorb heat. As a result, the coil’s temperature drops too low, causing condensation on the coil to freeze. Once the evaporator coil is frozen, the system can no longer function properly, and cooling comes to a halt.

Cleaning the Air Conditioner Filters and Evaporator Coil

With the issue identified, Valley Air Conditioning’s technicians got to work. The first step in the repair process was to clean the filters. In a split system air conditioner, the filters are responsible for trapping dust, dirt, and other particles from the air before it reaches the evaporator coil. Over time, these filters can become clogged, reducing the system’s efficiency and leading to potential breakdowns.

The team carefully removed the air filters from the indoor unit and thoroughly cleaned them. In cases where filters are too damaged or excessively dirty, replacement may be necessary, but in this instance, the filters were still in good condition and only required cleaning. After washing and drying the filters, the technicians reinstalled them, ensuring that they were properly fitted to allow maximum airflow.

Next, the team addressed the frozen evaporator coil. Once the system was powered down, the coil was allowed to defrost naturally. To expedite the process and ensure no further damage occurred, the technicians used gentle methods to remove the ice buildup from the coil. Once the coil was fully defrosted, it was carefully cleaned using specialized cleaning solutions and tools designed to remove any remaining dirt, grime, or mold that may have accumulated over time.

The cleanliness of the evaporator coil is crucial to the overall performance of an air conditioning system. A clean coil allows for efficient heat exchange, ensuring that the air is cooled effectively before being recirculated into the home.

Final System Testing and Restart

After completing the cleaning of both the filters and the evaporator coil, the Valley Air Conditioning team performed a full system check to ensure that the air conditioner was working properly. The technicians restarted the Hitachi split system and monitored its operation closely, checking for any further issues that might affect performance.

Once the system was up and running, the airflow was noticeably stronger, and the cooling performance had been fully restored. The resident reported that the home quickly began to cool down, and the air conditioner was functioning just as well as it had before the breakdown.

Preventive Air Conditioner Maintenance Recommendations

Before leaving, Valley Air Conditioning’s technicians provided the resident with some valuable advice on how to prevent similar issues in the future. One of the most common causes of air conditioning breakdowns is a lack of regular maintenance. The team recommended that the homeowner clean the air filters regularly, ideally once every three months, depending on the amount of dust and dirt in the environment.

They also suggested scheduling an annual professional maintenance service to ensure that all components, including the evaporator coil, condenser, and electrical systems, remain in good condition. Regular maintenance not only helps to prevent unexpected breakdowns but also extends the lifespan of the unit and ensures that it operates efficiently, reducing energy consumption and keeping running costs down.

Conclusion

Thanks to the prompt response and expertise of Valley Air Conditioning, the resident in Chisholm now have their 7.0kW Hitachi split system air conditioner working again. The breakdown was caused by dirty filters restricting airflow, which led to the evaporator coil freezing. By cleaning the filters and the evaporator coil, the team was able to restore the system to full working order. This service highlights the importance of regular air conditioning maintenance to avoid disruptions and keep homes comfortable during the warmer months.