Why Your AC Coils Keep Freezing in Irwin
August 13, 2025Ductless air conditioning has quickly become a reliable choice for homeowners in Greensburg looking for efficient cooling during the summer months. These systems are compact, easy to control, and ideal for both small and large living spaces. But when the system isn’t delivering the comfort it’s supposed to, it’s usually because something has gone wrong internally. One of the more common issues with ductless AC units is related to their sensors. These built-in components help regulate how your system cools the air in your home. When they aren’t working right, it can cause frustration and reduce the system’s overall performance.
If your ductless AC starts blowing warm air, cycles on and off too quickly, or keeps showing unfamiliar error codes, sensor problems may be the cause. Summers in Greensburg can get humid and uncomfortable, and no one wants to deal with cooling troubles when they least expect them. Understanding what can go wrong with a ductless AC sensor is a first step toward solving the issue and keeping your home cool and consistent through the hottest months of the year.
Common Sensor Issues in Ductless AC Systems
Ductless systems operate with the help of several small but important sensors. These sensors are what trigger the unit to turn on or off, ramp up the fan, or reduce output based on the temperature the system is reading from the room. When sensors stop working correctly, the signals being sent to your system get mixed up, leading to poor cooling or constant cycling.
Here are the main types of sensors found in a ductless AC unit:
– Thermistor: Measures the room’s temperature and helps the system respond by cooling up or down depending on what’s needed.
– Coil Temperature Sensor: Monitors the temperatures in the indoor coils to prevent freezing or overheating.
– Discharge Air Sensor: Checks the temperature of the air being blown into the room to make sure it matches the selected settings.
– Remote Control Sensor: Receives input from your wireless remote and communicates to the internal system.
When one of these fails, your home can suddenly feel too warm or too cold with no clear reason why. You may see constant error codes flash on the display panel, or the system might start behaving oddly such as turning on for just a few minutes and shutting down again before the room cools. One Greensburg homeowner experienced this exact problem. Her ductless AC kept cycling and blowing room-temperature air during a week-long heatwave. A faulty thermistor was the cause, and once it was replaced, cooling returned to normal.
These sensors are delicate electronic parts. They can wear out over time or get knocked out of place by dust buildup or an unnoticed electrical surge. Summer is not the time to ignore these warning signs, especially when temperatures in Greensburg hit their peak.
Diagnosing Sensor Problems
Spotting the signs of a sensor issue is one thing. Confirming that a sensor is the actual problem is another. While your remote or wall unit may flash an error code, that alone doesn’t always point to an immediate fix. There are a few ways professionals begin to check for sensor issues before moving into complex repairs.
Here are a few steps our technicians take during diagnosis:
1. Physical Inspection
This involves a close look at the sensors inside the wall-mounted unit. Many times, sensors come loose from their proper position or become blocked by dust or grime. If a sensor isn’t where it’s supposed to be, it won’t read room or system temperatures correctly.
2. Error Code Review
Modern ductless units feature diagnostics systems that help identify specific problems. An experienced technician can read and interpret error codes properly and match those codes with what the system is showing through its behavior.
3. Wiring and Connection Check
Loose, frayed, or corroded wires connecting the sensors to the control board can interrupt signals. This type of issue is more common in older systems or homes with recent power surges.
4. Test with Equipment
In some cases, multimeters and specialized tools are used to measure electrical responses from sensors. These tools confirm whether the sensors are giving accurate inputs to the system controls.
Trying to troubleshoot ductless AC sensor issues without training can lead to further damage, especially when accessing internal electronic parts. It often saves time and money when trained technicians perform the inspection and testing. The goal is not only to fix what’s wrong but also to make sure the system’s cooling performance remains steady after the repair.
Professional Solutions for Ductless AC Sensor Issues
When it comes to ductless AC sensor problems, repairs often require more than just resetting the unit. These components play an important role in how the system runs, and even a small error in data can throw off the cooling cycle. That is why calling our professionals is the smartest move when these types of issues come up.
Our technicians follow detailed diagnostic steps that go well beyond just checking for error codes. Once we confirm that a sensor is defective or misaligned, it may need to be repositioned, rewired, or replaced entirely. In some situations, sensor connections that have come loose are the root of the issue. In other cases, a sensor can be physically damaged or no longer in sync with the temperature control settings.
One key part of this process is calibration. Installing a new sensor won’t solve future problems if it isn’t reading temperatures in line with the rest of the system. Our technicians always test the unit under working conditions after a sensor replacement to make sure readings are accurate. This helps confirm that the air temperature leaving the unit matches your desired temperature settings.
We handle all ductless AC units with care, making sure anything we adjust or replace aligns with manufacturer requirements. Working directly on these systems without the correct training often leads to more damage. Getting the job done right the first time is how we protect both your home comfort and your equipment.
Preventive Measures for Sensor Longevity
Sensor issues often develop slowly. It’s not always a sudden failure; sometimes symptoms appear so gradually that homeowners only notice when the room is no longer staying comfortable. Preventing ductless AC sensor problems often comes down to routine care and early detection.
Here’s how to keep your sensors functioning properly:
– Schedule a professional maintenance check at least once every cooling season.
– Power down your unit during electrical storms to protect circuits from sudden surges.
– Keep your wall-mounted AC head clean and free of obstructions like dust and pet hair.
– Don’t ignore behavior changes, such as short cycling or temperature drifting from your setpoint.
– Have your home’s power system checked if you’ve noticed fluctuations that could affect small electronic components like sensors.
A Greensburg homeowner reached out after noticing her home’s temperature seemed off, even though she hadn’t changed the thermostat settings. An inspection revealed a coil sensor had become dislodged and coated with dust. She had missed her usual spring maintenance visit, and that small delay allowed the issue to go unchecked. After a professional cleaning and repositioning, her ductless AC returned to regular operation without the need for further repair.
These types of problems are avoidable. Staying ahead of sensor concerns by scheduling inspections helps keep your cooling even, efficient, and less prone to surprise breakdowns.
Keep Your Ductless AC Running Efficiently All Summer
Sensor problems don’t resolve on their own. A ductless AC system in your Greensburg home relies heavily on accurate readings from sensors to deliver comfort. When even one of these parts starts giving off incorrect data, the result can be poor cooling, short cycling, or unexpected system shutoffs. This leads to reduced efficiency and higher strain on the system’s internal components.
Seasonal service, proper testing, and timely repair keep your sensor system performing like it should. If your AC unit is not cooling like it used to, is running unevenly, or is showing blinking error codes, it is time to call in a technician. Having the system reviewed early helps avoid bigger repairs and ensures consistent cooling when temperatures get uncomfortable.
Responding early to these types of problems and taking a proactive maintenance approach will keep your unit strong through summer’s most demanding conditions. Ductless AC systems are efficient and space-saving options when kept in top shape. Keeping internal sensors clean, calibrated, and connected is key to making sure your cooling never lets you down.
Ensure your system receives the care it needs by working with experienced technicians when sensor issues arise. Our professionals at Cochran Heating and Cooling offer comprehensive solutions, including ductless AC installation in Greensburg, along with reliable system diagnostics to restore lasting comfort. For a quick estimate or to book a service visit, please contact us today.