Why the air conditioner does not heat up: causes and solutions

Why is the air conditioner not heating?

If owners of air conditioners rarely experience difficulties with cooling rooms, then problems with heating are much more common.The situation when the equipment is working, but the air refuses to heat, is very common and can be the result of a number of reasons, both serious and related to the user's lack of awareness about the features of the mode.

Not enough time

If the air conditioner is turned on for cooling, then cold air leaves it immediately, and the owners of the equipment expect the same from the heating function. And when the device starts to give out air at room temperature, there is a panic - switching modes on the remote control, pulling it out of the socket, restarting and other actions. Solving such a problem is very simple - you need to set the desired temperature and just wait, give the air conditioner time to redirect the air flows and start heating it. Depending on the model, waiting for the first warm air currents takes 60 to 120 seconds, and it will take 10-15 minutes to reach the set temperature on the remote control.

After turning on the heating mode, you will have to wait until warm air appears

freon leak

During operation, the volume of refrigerant is lost in the air conditioner system (the norm is 6–8% per year), in addition, over time, cracks form in the freon circuit of the air conditioner and additional leaks appear

It is important to understand that freon is used for both heating and cooling, so the air conditioner will work when the pressure of the substance in the system drops, but only as a fan

Cracks may appear in the circuit through which freon passes.

You cannot fix the problem yourself; this requires a call to the wizard. He will refuel to restore pressure, and if necessary, carry out a nitriding procedure to locate and fix the leak.

Clogged heat exchanger

In outdoor unit of the air conditioner a lot of dirt accumulates - dust, poplar fluff, the remains of leaves and insects, etc. If the external heat exchanger is clogged, the efficiency of the device will decrease significantly. This will be especially noticeable on heating - the air temperature will not change much. You can fix the problem by cleaning. Theoretically, it is possible to carry out events on your own, but there is a high risk of damaging the details unknowingly, so it is easier to invite a specialist to provide such a service.

Periodically it is necessary to call the master to clean the outdoor unit

Breakage of the four-way valve

In order for the air conditioner to correctly switch from cooling to heating mode, a four-way valve is installed in it, which provides a change in the direction of the refrigerant. If this element fails, the device remains in the mode it was in before and does not switch to heat. Here you can not do without a specialist - he will simply replace the damaged part.

Use at low air temperature

An air conditioner is not a full-fledged heating device, it is able to heat a room if the temperature outside the window is not lower than 5 degrees. At low temperatures, condensate freezes in the outdoor unit, the oil in the system loses its properties, and ice forms in the freon circuit. As a result, after successfully heating the room in too cold weather, the intensity of heat generation decreases, and after that the function stops working.

It is worth noting that the minimum temperature threshold for some models can be set to 0 or up to -5 degrees, but you should not turn on the device at such low temperatures.In frost, this will definitely lead to the formation of frost inside the split system and icing of the outdoor unit. Turning on when the thermometer reads from 5 to 0 still makes the capacitor work already in negative values, which still leads to the formation of frost, besides, the efficiency of such work is significantly reduced.

It is impossible to use the air conditioner in frost, especially for heating.

It is important for the user to follow the recommendations of the instructions, since the failure of the equipment in case of non-compliance with the operating conditions is not a warranty case. If it happens that the air conditioner is already frozen, you need to stop using it and call the master

Depending on the scale of the problem, they will either immediately be able to warm up the system, or they will have to wait for spring and only then fix it.

Air conditioning, like any other equipment, requires regular care and maintenance. If you clean the device in a timely manner and follow all the manufacturer's recommendations, you can minimize the risk of problems with space heating. A function failure can also be the result of a freon leak or a valve breakdown - you definitely can’t do without a specialist here.

Banal dirt

Yes, yes, many rush to read literature, look for a problem or call a master without cleaning the outdoor unit. But it may be that it is dirty, debris has got into it, which is the cause of extraneous sounds.

Cleaning the outdoor unit is easy - just remove the case from it and sweep out everything that is in it from the pallet. Wash the radiator with plain water and detergent. Inspect all the elements - if fallen leaves, small twigs and other debris are stuck somewhere.

In parallel, pay attention to whether the fan clings to something.These can be wires, peeled insulation or labels, clamps or ties.

Main reasons

Finding the source of the problem is almost half the battle. It is not always necessary to subject the electric stove to professional diagnostics. Sometimes it is up to the owner of the tile to establish the correct diagnosis.

Burnt or cracked burner coil

A burnt coil is one of the most common breakdowns. Both the spiral itself and the nichrome thread can burn out. In this case, to repair the appliance, it is enough to replace the burner.

Breakdown of the thermostat

Before the thermostat malfunctions, the electric stove often behaves unpredictably. Yesterday it was too hot, but today it does not heat well. It is highly likely that tomorrow it will not heat up at all.

Such symptoms clearly indicate a breakdown of the thermostat sensor. In this case, the master will have to check all the contacts and, if the “diagnosis” is confirmed, replace the thermostat.

Power switch malfunction

Violation of the switch that regulates the heating of the burner - one of the most popular reasons failure of the electric stove. During prolonged operation, due to heating, the contact springs can be connected weakly, and the contacts themselves sometimes burn out.

To fix it, you need to change the power switch.

Thermal protection has tripped

Due to overheating, both one burner and the entire stove can turn off at once. But the causes of overheating can be very different, from the failure of the thermostat to the failure of the cooling fan. It is better to entrust the repair to the master.

Sensor failure

Sensors are often the cause of malfunctions in touch hobs. The result of a breakdown is the same as when a mechanical switch fails.But fixing such equipment with your own hands will no longer work - you need professional knowledge and tools.

Control module failure

The newer the stove model, the more electronic “stuffing” it contains. Failures in the operation of electronics and its breakdown can lead to a variety of consequences. Burners can turn on and stop heating even by themselves.

Wiring fault

Sometimes the reason is not at all in the stove itself, but in its connection to the network. If the wiring in the kitchen is out of order, the stove will not turn on. It’s not so easy to check this - you can’t plug an electric stove into a regular outlet. But if other outlets in the room fail, you can pinpoint the source of the problem.

Unsuitable utensils

The burners of an inductive electric cooker may not work properly due to unsuitable cookware. bottom diameter pots or pans must be more than 12 centimeters in order for the dishes to touch the hob sufficiently. The thickness of the bottom is not less than two and not more than six millimeters.

1 Air conditioner does not heat in severe frost

Why does the air conditioner not blow warm air when it is very cold outside? There is a perfectly logical explanation for this. For some models, operation in heating mode is not allowed below the set temperature. This leads to freezing of condensate, the formation of an ice crust and, if the device is not turned off, the compressor will fail due to overload. Before operating such a complex device as a split system, be sure to read the instructions. Manufacturers clearly prescribe the conditions under which split-the system can be heated. Many models must not be operated at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. Exceeding the permissible modes of operation of the air conditioner threatens with serious damage to the device.

The exception is inverter type air conditioners. What type of compressor can operate at 20 degrees below zero. The inverter system of the air conditioner is equipped with the option of soft start of the heating mode. Malfunctions in the operation of the air conditioner during the heating function can occur for various reasons. Let's consider some of them:

• If, when the air conditioner is turned on, the compressor runs, and unheated air comes out of the indoor unit, but does not turn on in heating mode, then the cause of the malfunction is more likely to be the failure of the four-way valve. This small detail plays a very important role in the device of the air conditioner. It is thanks to this valve that the transition from heating to cooling and vice versa is carried out. And accordingly, if the valve is out of order, there will be no heating.
• In cases where an air jet enters, which indicates that the fan is working, but the compressor is not working, the cause lies in the compressor malfunction. The way to eliminate such a breakdown is to replace or repair the compressor.
• Sometimes the lack of operation of the air conditioner for heating may be due to the freezing of condensate if a dehumidifying filter is not installed in this model. In this case, the air conditioner will work fine in cooling mode, but will not give warm air. This happens when the outside temperature is too low (Fig. 1).

Rice. 1 Outdoor unit icing

• Problems with the power supply of the electric coil can also cause a lack of operation in heating mode.
• Mechanical contamination of the filter and fan blades can cause the heating function to fail (Fig. 2). The air conditioner filter requires regular cleaning and maintenance. If this is not done, a dirty filter will lead to malfunction of many components, causing malfunctions of the device.

Rice. 2 Mechanical contamination of the air conditioner

Why the air conditioner does not heat up will be exactly told by the service center master after the diagnosis. There are cases when a breakdown can only be repaired by repair engineers using special equipment. Such breakdowns include problems with freon. Freon is a gas used as a refrigerant and circulating in the evaporator system, which is the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

Why does the air conditioner not want to heat if the breakdowns described above are not observed? Most likely the reason for the failure is a problem with freon. The most common failures are:

• One of the reasons for the failure of freon circulation may be the failure of the electrical board responsible for the circulation of the refrigerant. In this case, the board needs to be replaced or repaired. It won't work without a specialist.
• The operation of air conditioners in adverse conditions at low temperatures is prohibited by the manufacturer. If this condition is neglected, ice may form in the freon circuit of the air conditioner and ice plugs. It is very difficult to melt the cork just like that, sometimes you have to wait for favorable weather conditions for natural thawing.
• Damage to the freon circuit and gas leakage. This happens if cracks and defects appear in the freon circuit of the air conditioner, accompanied by a refrigerant leak.The fact that a freon leak has occurred can be understood by examining the junction between the blocks. Freon leakage is indicated by the appearance of ice on the fittings of the outdoor unit. The lack of freon in the circuit leads to an overvoltage of the compressor, which can cause it to break. The compressor is a very expensive part of the air conditioner, its replacement cost is half of the device itself. Therefore, you need to be very careful and timely refuel freon, as well as periodically conduct a technical inspection of the entire air conditioner. In cases of such a malfunction, the air conditioner requires refueling of freon, for which you will have to call a wizard who will refuel freon and eliminate damage to the circuit.

What to do?

Sometimes the overheating of the engine is due to the fact that the freon charged in the air conditioner is simply not suitable for your car. This usually happens after the next charge of the air conditioning compressor with a refrigerant of the wrong type that should be used in your car. Also, the motor can also warm up due to the banal insufficiency of freon in the air conditioning system. In this case, depending on the problem, either charge the air conditioner with the correct freon, or charge the refrigerant to the maximum.

It is worth noting that if the wrong type of freon was poured into your car or there is not enough of it in the system, then when the air conditioner is turned on, insufficiently cold air is supplied to the passenger compartment. So if your air conditioner stopped cooling the interior normally, and the engine started to warm up, this is the main sign that something is wrong with freon in your air conditioning system.

Air lock in the air cooling system also may cause an increase in engine temperature while driving with the air conditioner on. The thing is that the air plug interferes with the normal circulation of the coolant. As a result, the wrong pressure is formed inside the system, which slows down the circulation rate of antifreeze. This leads to the fact that the heat from the motor is not properly removed.

Another problem that often leads to engine overheating is insufficient antifreeze in the cooling system.

That is why it is so important to check the coolant level periodically and add it to the maximum level if necessary. We also recommend that you change antifreeze every 2-3 years, depending on the intensity of use of the machine and on weather conditions in winter and summer.

For example, if the car is often stuck in traffic jams in hot, dry summers, then we recommend changing the antifreeze every 2 years. The same goes for harsh winters.

A malfunctioning thermostat can also be a likely cause of the engine overheating when the car is stationary or moving at normal speed.

That is why it is so important to use only high-quality original thermostat. In no case do not save money by buying dubious quality non-original thermostats

You risk overheating your car. And this is fraught with engine damage.

Including overheating can also occur if the radiator cap malfunctions, which, as a rule, has a special spring valve that helps to relieve excess pressure from the cooling system resulting from the heating of antifreeze.

If you are facing the problem of engine overheating while driving, pull yourself together and don't panic first. Panic can really lead to stupidity.As soon as you see that the coolant temperature sensor on the tidy crawled up, immediately slow down and stop the car as soon as possible. Further, in no case turn off the engine. Otherwise, this will lead to a sharp drop in engine temperature, which is fraught with huge problems. So, stopping the car with the engine running, turn off the air conditioner and turn on the interior heating at full power. So you can cool the boiling antifreeze. Then get out of the car and let the engine run with the heater on for a few minutes. Only then can you turn off the engine.

Now your task is to determine the cause of the engine overheating. To do this, use the features that we described. Fortunately, most of the causes that can lead to overheating of the car are easily fixed on the spot. If you cannot remove the cause of overheating, then it's time to contact a technical center for diagnostics and car repair. It is advisable to call a tow truck in this case.

To avoid engine overheating problems, there are many golden rules, in particular the use of the correct coolant for a particular car model (all cars use different types of coolant that differ in color and properties). If you purchase a concentrated coolant, you must remember that you can only dilute it with distilled water. You also need to regularly monitor the condition of the thermostat, radiator, pipes through which antifreeze circulates, as well as the condition of the air conditioner, conducting its annual scheduled maintenance.

Possible causes of malfunctions

An air conditioner, as a complex technical device, requires special care and conditions for its normal functioning. If you do not check for frost on the grill or the operation of the fan, they may suddenly fail. Let's take a closer look at the reasons in which the air conditioner not warm.

Little time

The main function of an air conditioner with a split system is to cool the air in the room to an acceptable state, and heating and warm air are additional functions. Air conditioning systems will not be able to replace the usual battery. The heating of the air in the air conditioner occurs at the time of pumping freon in the opposite direction. Such procedures in technology require pressure equalization at the same level.

The owners of the devices want to get an instant result, and when it is not there, they attribute everything to a malfunction of the device. This problem is solved simply: after turning it on, you should wait 10-15 minutes, let the device warm up. If the appliance does not heat up after this time, a malfunction may be suspected.

Low room temperature

Each air conditioner can operate at certain minimum temperatures specified in the documents. For inverter-type models, this temperature ranges from -25 to -15 degrees, for simple models from -5 to +5, carefully read the instructions. The documents for the technique indicate the maximum temperature in the room that the machine can create.

But manufacturers do not always accurately indicate the temperature and are a little tricky. For example, it is indicated that the device can operate at -25 degrees, and warm the air up to +28 degrees.In fact, the lower the degree outside, the lower the temperature the device will be able to heat the room and these +28 degrees will turn into +16.

freon leak

The most common problem right now. For the correct operation of the device, a special gas is needed - freon. If it is not enough, the air conditioner does not blow warm air. Freon leaves through a microcrack in the frame and does not return.

In this situation, you should contact the company where the air conditioner was ordered. You will be cleaned evaporators and refuel freon or completely change the equipment.

Pollution and blockages

Freon is mixed with compressor oil and moved between blocks. With bad oil, sediment forms, which clogs the system and narrows the tubes. There are many freon manufacturers and not all of them guarantee product quality, so the refrigerant may contain water, which forms ice blockages and plugs.

Valve failure

When the device does not turn on the heating mode, the three-way valve may break, which allows you to smoothly switch between operating modes. You need to replace it and the device will work again in good condition.

Do-it-yourself troubleshooting

Fortunately, a number of faults can be dealt with on your own without resorting to the help of a repairman.

Wrong settings

If the technique does not cool the room well, this may be due to two reasons:

1. High temperature is set in the equipment settings. In order for the room to quickly fill with coolness, you should choose the lowest one, and then set the comfortable one.
2. The fan option is selected in the parameters. This mode is responsible for the circulation of air masses and does not affect its temperature in any way.In this situation, you need to put the cooling mode.

Expert opinion
Levin Dmitry Konstantinovich

When the split system heats the air, it is worth checking if the heating option is turned on. If so, you should switch it to cooling mode. This is relevant only for equipment that has a heating function.

Clogged indoor unit filters

Step by step to clean the filters of the indoor unit.

The clogged filters of the indoor unit are characterized by a low degree of cooling of the air masses. Including you can notice how the device begins to leak or freeze. This is due to the fact that dust, wool and hair tend to accumulate on the heat exchanger plates, as a result of which the radiator does not give off cold well enough.

Solution: clean the filters. To do this, remove the block cover, remove the filters and rinse them under running cold water. How to properly remove the cover can be found in the factory instructions.

It is important to bear in mind that the filters must not be cleaned with hot water, as this can lead to their deformation.

Contamination of the radiator of the outdoor unit

For pollution outdoor unit radiator in addition to weak cooling, a periodic stop of the compressor is characteristic. This malfunction is caused by external factors: dust and poplar fluff slow down the rotation of the fan. In view of this, the heat exchange between the condenser and the outdoor air is reduced, and with it the ability of the split system to reduce the air temperature at home or in the office decreases.

Solution: clean the outdoor unit. For this, a steam generator is suitable. However, if there is no such technique, it’s not scary, you can use a regular brush.

If the owner of the device lives in a multi-storey building, and the outdoor unit is located in a hard-to-reach place, there is no need to risk your life by standing on the indents of windows and roofs. It is better to use the services of an industrial climber.

Low or unstable mains voltage

If the external unit of the device constantly turns on and off at intervals of 2-3 minutes, this means that the voltage in the mains is unstable or too low. As a result, overheating of the rotor winding occurs and the subsequent shutdown of the motor by a thermal relay.

Solution: installation voltage monitoring relay, in addition to it, you can put an electric stabilizer.

Possible malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

Heating mode does not turn on

Often users are faced with air conditioner not working to heat even after an allowable period of time. What is it connected with? There are several reasons why the air conditioner does not turn on for heat:

• The air filter system can be heavily polluted with lint, dust and debris. You will need to clean all its elements;
• Sometimes there is a power failure of the remote control. It is worth removing the batteries for 5 minutes or replacing them with new ones, and then try to start the device again;
• If before that there was a power failure, you can turn off the power to the split system, and start it again after an hour by setting the maximum heating temperature;
• Failures occur in the control system of the indoor unit, then the light indicators on the panel indicate this and the error code mode goes into error code mode;
• The operation of the air conditioner for heat is possible in unacceptable temperature conditions of the outside air.Many modern chillers are equipped with protection algorithms that prevent the compressor from starting in such situations. It can be said that this is “protection from a fool”;
• It is likely that the air conditioner does not turn on for heat due to inadequate pressure. It is worth checking its "liquid" and "solid" indicators.

Why does the air conditioner sometimes turn on for heat, and then abruptly stop blowing, and the curtain on the indoor module closes? If the diodes go out at the same time, and after restarting the same thing happens, then the device is faulty. It is necessary to call the master.

Noise at work

There is also such a problem as the buzzing of the air conditioner when working on warm. Where to look for the reason?

• This may be the norm. Some models are quite noisy;
• If the hum is monotonous, then the reason may be in the compressor, which simply cannot cope with the load, or the evaporator in the role of a condenser does not pull the heat load. Possibly overpressure. It is worth checking whether the volume of freon corresponds to the permissible values;
• Another option why the air conditioner is buzzing when working on heat is the contamination of the filters and the fan of the indoor unit. The device cannot take in a normal amount of air;
• There is a possibility that the fan is damaged and catches on something;
• It is worth checking the freon line, as its poor-quality installation causes similar problems. Somewhere there may be creases and bends;
• It is possible that the air conditioner, when working on heat, starts to buzz due to insufficient voltage in the network;
• The evaporator temperature sensor (on the switch) is responsible for stopping and starting the fan motor at the outdoor module. It may be defective.

The main reasons why air conditioners do not turn on for heat or hum when heated have been considered.

Blowing warm air instead of cold

Now another question arises, why does the air conditioner blow warm air when cooling is needed? There are many reasons, so it is worth understanding:

• Check if the mode is set correctly;
• Look at the degree of contamination of the radiator grilles and filters. Air does not pass, so freon is not cooled;
• There may be problems with the voltage in the network (it is simply not enough), or the integrity of the interconnect wires is broken;
• Poor installation: lack of evacuation, leak tests and insufficient filling of the circuit with freon can provoke such problems;
• If the capillary tube is clogged with debris, then warm air may blow from the air conditioner;
• Malfunctions of pressure and temperature sensors, compressor or fans are also manifested by similar features of operation.

Why does an electric water heater not heat water well?

You should not immediately call the master if the boiler does not heat the water enough. Anyone can fix this problem. The following recommendations will come in handy. First of all, you need to check for serviceability all the main parts of the boiler. After that, it will become clear whether it is possible to fix the problem yourself:

• Most likely the water heater has stopped working. Experts recommend replacing the heating element every four years.
• This breakdown is indicated by the operation of automatic protection when the water heater is turned on. That is, it automatically turns off immediately after turning on.

There are several other ways for . With their help, you can finally make sure that this element needs to be replaced.

The first method is more difficult to perform and requires minimal electrical knowledge. You need to take a control lamp and connect it to the heating element. After this electrical circuit is connected to a power source. The heating element works normally if the light is on.

Boiler diagram

The same test can be done with a multimeter. To do this, it must be configured to measure resistance and connected to the heating element. The indicator will be at zero when closed, and in the event of an open circuit, infinity will be displayed on it.

Replacing the heating element

If the water heater does not heat water due to a faulty heating element, and the indicator is on, it can be repaired without outside help. Before installing a new heating element, it is worth preparing the necessary tools and parts.

You will need:

• Correct heating element.
• Pliers.
• indicator screwdriver.
• Crosshead screwdriver.
• Straight screwdriver.
• Rag.
• Spanners.

If you decide to try to clean the old heater, then you will need 1 liter of water and 50 grams of citric acid. The device is completely immersed in the solution and must remain in it for at least 48 hours. After that, you can clean the dirt.

Replacing the heating element is the same in all models of boilers.

Dismantling the burnt heating element

How is the replacement:

You need to turn off the water. If the boiler does not have a tap, you need to turn off the supply to the riser. The hot faucet must also be closed.
Drain water from the water heater.
For safety, you must disconnect the boiler from the mains.
Remove the protective cover.
Use an indicator screwdriver to check for voltage.
Take a picture or remember the wiring diagram.After that, disconnect the wires and fasteners that hold the boiler.
Unscrew the nuts that secure the heating element one at a time. A rag will come in handy here, because residual water can spill.
Wait until the installation site is completely dry.

It is very important that there is no moisture on the contacts.
Examine the anode. It might be wrong too.

This part protects the boiler from corrosion.
Check rubber seal. If it is worn out, you need to put a new one. This is necessary for the tightness of the device.
After replacing the heating element, replace all dismantled parts.

After that, you need to check the water supply and make sure there are no leaks. It is necessary to bleed the air from the boiler and then plug the water heater plug into the socket.

Causes of return problems in batteries of a private or apartment building

There are several reasons why the return line is not warm enough or even cold at all. Common problems are:

• insufficient water pressure in the system;
• a small section of the pipe through which the coolant passes;
• incorrect installation;
• air pollution or contamination of the system.

If a problem with a cold return has arisen in an apartment, then the first thing you should pay attention to is pressure. This is especially true for rooms on the upper floors.

The fact is that the principle of the return flow is to quickly and continuously run the liquid through the system. And if its speed drops, then the coolant will not have time to push out cold water and the batteries do not heat up.

Another reason for the failure of the return flow is pollution of the heating circuit. As a rule, major cleaning of systems in multi-storey buildings is not carried out often.Sediment, which accumulates over time on the walls of the pipes, prevents the passage of fluid.

The main reason for interruptions in the operation of the heating system in a private house is improper installation. Most often this happens when the installation is carried out without the participation of specialists. Being incompetent in this matter, it is quite easy to mix up the supply and return pipes, or choose pipes of the wrong size.

Both in an apartment and in a private house, the problem of a malfunction of the heating system can be associated with insufficient water supply rate or airiness. In a similar way, the work of the return is affected by the contamination of the pipes.

Troubleshooting methods. Why is cleaning necessary?

To understand exactly how to solve the problem, you first need to establish its source. If the batteries become cold due to insufficiently fast circulation of water, the installation of a special pump will help in this case. It will regularly push water into the circuit under a certain pressure, thereby not allowing the system to stop or slow down.

Photo 2. Marking Grundfos circulation pump allows you to choose the most suitable and properly install it.

If the cause is clogged pipes, then they just need to be cleaned. You can do this in several ways:

• using a water-pulsing mixture;
• with the help of biological products;
• by means of a pneumatic hammer.

Important! Such cleaning is carried out regularly in order to prevent the appearance of new problems. In the event of a malfunction due to improper installation of the equipment, contact the wizard

A qualified specialist will certainly understand the problem and fix all the problems.In addition, he will give practical advice and recommendations for the care and operation of the system.

In the event of a malfunction due to improper installation of the equipment, contact the wizard. A qualified specialist will certainly understand the problem and fix all the problems. In addition, he will give practical advice and recommendations for the care and operation of the system.