If you have a Mitsubishi mini split system air conditioner in your home, you’ll need to hire a reputable HVAC company for regular maintenance to ensure it continues running properly throughout the year. Over time, any appliance collects dust, dirt, mold and grime. Long-term exposure to these pesky particles can affect the performance of your Mitsubishi split system. System components can also wear down over time and need to be inspected.
To help this air conditioner perform better and last longer, hire Grove Heating & Cooling for mini split maintenance. Although you may be tempted to clean and tune up your Mitsubishi mini split system on your own, these are complex systems, and it’s best to leave system maintenance to a trusted HVAC technician.
The NATE-certified technicians at Grove Heating & Cooling will inspect your entire ductless system from top to bottom. Our mini split tune up checklist includes:
We deep clean all of the coils to remove any debris to prevent mold and mildew from forming. Coil cleaning is essential for optimal efficiency.
Poor electrical wiring can lead to ice forming on the outdoor coil during the winter months and on the indoor coil during the spring and summer. We check all wires and electrical components for signs of wear.
We inspect the refrigerant lines for signs of leakage.
A dirty or blocked air filter inhibits airflow from the indoor and outdoor heat-exchange coils. During our tune up, we remove and clean the air filter inside the indoor air-handling unit. We also inspect the outdoor cabinet for any airflow obstructions.
To prevent damage and water leaks, we flush the drain lines to prevent mold and algae.
Many of the components in a ductless mini split system are complicated and should only be checked by a qualified HVAC technician. We inspect and test the following components: electronic expansion valves (EEV), sensors and digital inverter-driven compressors. All of these play a role in preparing, regulating and monitoring super-heating of the refrigerant.
Cleaning, maintenance and repairs should only be performed by an HVAC technician. However, there are a few simple DIY tips homeowners can perform to help ensure their system runs efficient.
A dirty or blocked air filter prevents proper heat exchange, which can significantly increase your energy bills. We recommend changing the air filter once per month. You can also inspect the outdoor unit periodically to clear away any obstructions, including leaves, twigs, snow or ice.
If you’re experiencing issues with your ductless mini split system, call Grove Heating & Cooling for reliable service. We’ll inspect the system and get to the root of the problem and make a repair. Some of the common reasons ductless systems need service include:
Unusually high electric bills can signal that something is awry with the system. Mini split systems are built to last about 15 years, so higher energy bills could indicate the system is losing efficiency and may need replaced. Other issues related to high energy bills are clogged air filters or failing parts.
A grinding noise coming from the indoor unit could mean the oil bearings have worn down. This needs to be inspected to prevent the air handler motor from overheating.
Ice on the outdoor cooling coils can reduce airflow. A broken fan, refrigerant leak or clogged air filter could be the culprit.
A decrease in the system’s cooling power over time could mean there’s a refrigerant leak.
Regular maintenance increases performance. Prioritizing regular maintenance will extend the life of your unit, saving you money on repairs and premature replacements.
When you hire Grove Heating & Cooling for Mitsubishi mini split system maintenance, we ensure the system is running at top efficiency all year long. Whether you need a tune up, repair or installation, Grove is your one-stop shop for all of your ductless system needs. Give us a call today to learn more about ductless mini splits.
Anybody with a detached garage knows just how cold these spaces get in the winter. A garage that’s part of your house benefits a little from the heat in your home, but a detached garage is left to the elements.
This can be a real problem if your detached garage stores something in particular – like a prized classic car – or you use it for a particular task. For instance, you will be less inclined to get out there to do your woodwork if it is cold, and there’s a risk your wood will get too damp.
There is a range of different ways you can solve this problem, given the variety of different heating options out there. You don’t need to accept that your detached garage will always be cold and damp in the winter; you can try one of the following tips.
The best way to heat a detached garage depends on your needs. If your garage has no special function beyond storing your everyday cars and other regular items, then investing in some insulation may well be enough for you. But if your detached garage is more important than that, then you may want to invest a bit more in your heating and insulating options.
If you are trying to work out the best way to heat a detached garage, consider our handy guide below.
This is a kind of heating system that doesn’t need air ducts to heat the air. If your detached garage is ductless, a Crofton, MD ductless mini split installation from Mitsubishi will be your best option.
A single-zone mini split system is made up of an air-handling unit, which is installed inside your garage. There’s also a compressor that’s fitted on the outside. They are connected by a conduit and powered by electricity.
They are a flexible option for heating your garage. They usually come with a remote so you can easily control heating, and often come with a cooling function which you can use in the summer.
Setting up at the beginning can be quite expensive, and they require monthly cleaning, but ductless mini-split systems tend to be easy to use and hassle-free. It will keep your detached garage warm without cranking up the heat.
Unless you live in a very cold environment, mini-splits are ideal. Schedule a ductless mini-split installation as soon as possible.
This should be by far the cheapest option. You’d only need to improve the insulation your garage already has and make a few small additions, so there are no big overhauls or expensive purchases involved. This is also a simple job you can do yourself.
We recommend purchasing fiberglass insulation roll, as it is relatively inexpensive, widely available and very versatile. You could use it on the garage ceiling, walls and door.
Otherwise, all you will need is a sharp utility knife to cut the fiberglass to fit, a staple gun and wood to guide the fiberglass to the right size.
Weatherstripping is easy enough to apply to windows and doors to prevent cold air coming in.
It may not keep your garage warm, but if you live in an area where winter is mild and temperatures don’t drop too low, this should be fine. You may just need to layer up in the winter if you use your garage to work.
You should also insulate if you plan to buy heaters, otherwise warm air will escape.
Often used for in-floor heating, this can be fitted into walls and ceilings, too. This system will heat the surface areas where it is fitted using infrared radiation, heating the surface area evenly.
It is seen as ideal for under-floor heating because the hot air rises from underneath the floor to heat the entire area. This makes it one of the most efficient ways of heating a detached garage, which would likely require little energy to heat up using this system.
Indeed, even though it is expensive to install, its operating costs are very low and, unlike many heating systems, it is quiet, too.
This is ultimately the simplest way to heat your detached garage. Portable space heaters come in a range of different sizes to suit your needs, and most heaters built today are energy efficient so that you won’t add to your electricity bill.
This is a great option to supplement other heating sources or insulation and if you live in a mild climate. If your winters aren’t that cold, plugging in a space heater to go with your insulation will be enough to keep your garage warm if you are working in there.
You can then also use this heater elsewhere in the house, making it a very flexible heater to buy. Don’t rely on a space heater, though, if you live in a colder climate, as they take a while to heat up and are not as powerful as other sources.
Out of all of these solutions, we think installing a ductless mini split system from Mitsubishi is the best option. At Grove HVAC, we use Mitsubishi ductless mini splits, which are the most efficient and quietest units for your money.
Contact Grove today to schedule a ductless mini split installation.