A decline in performance in the heart of winter
At AirGreen , we know that frigid January days can put a strain on HVAC systems in Quebec homes. This is precisely what happened during a service call in Boisbriand , on Montreal's North Shore , where an Ecobreath Inverter V heat pump was showing signs of losing efficiency as the mercury dropped below -20°C.
Context: a high-performing system in difficulty
The customer contacted us after noticing that the indoor temperature was stagnating around 17°C , despite the heating mode being continuously activated.
The heat pump, an Ecobreath XTreme -30°C model , installed two years previously, displayed no visible error codes, but the production of hot air seemed clearly insufficient .
Upon arrival, we found a well-maintained unit positioned on the side wall of a single-family home, slightly protected by a cedar hedge. However, thick frost partially covered the exchanger fins .
Initial diagnosis: suspicion of a faulty defrost cycle
Our first hypothesis concerned the defrost mode . This automatic mechanism, essential in cold weather, allows the heat pump to melt the ice accumulated on the condenser.
After observing the complete cycle, we noted that:
-
The defrosting started too late ,
-
The temperature of the coil did not rise high enough to melt all the ice,
-
And the outside fan remained inactive for too long after the heating was restarted.
These symptoms indicated a communication problem between the temperature probe and the main control board .
Step 1: Checking the probes and the electronic board
We first measured the resistance of the temperature probes (NTC sensors) using a multimeter:
-
Coil probe: 8.4 kΩ at 0°C (normal)
-
Defrost probe: 2.1 kΩ at 0°C (abnormally low)
This inconsistent value distorted the signals sent to the card, preventing effective defrosting.
We therefore recommended replacing the defrost sensor and checking the wiring connecting the main board .
Step 2: Replacement and calibration
After replacing the faulty probe with an original Ecobreath model, we have:
-
cleaned the exchanger fins with gentle steam,
-
manually defrosted the frozen sections,
-
and restarted the system to test the transition between defrost and heating modes.
Immediate result: the heat pump returned to heating mode in less than 8 minutes , with an air outlet temperature of 43°C in “High Heat” mode.
Step 3: Inspect the fan and airflow
We also checked the dual-blade fan motor . It was running normally, but a slight imbalance due to ice buildup on one blade was creating a minor vibration.
A thorough cleaning of the hub and tightening of the fasteners was enough to restore smooth and quiet rotation.
Results: restored efficiency and comfort regained
At the end of the intervention:
-
The indoor temperature rose from 17°C to 21°C in less than an hour ,
-
The automatic defrosting was triggered at regular intervals (approximately every 90 minutes),
-
And the outside noise level has stabilized at an almost imperceptible level.
We also advised the client:
-
To keep the hedge trimmed to avoid air restriction,
-
And to carry out complete preventive maintenance before each winter , including cleaning the coils and calibrating the probes.
Technical sheet of the AirGreen intervention
-
Brand: Ecobreath
-
Model: XTreme -30°C, Inverter V, 24,000 BTU
-
Type: Dual fan wall-mounted heat pump
-
Problem: Poor defrosting, ice buildup, inefficient heating
-
Solution: Replace the defrost sensor, clean it, recalibrate it
-
Result: Heating restored, stable operation, optimal comfort
AirGreen expertise on the North Shore
In Boisbriand , as elsewhere in the metropolitan area, our AirGreen team responds quickly to diagnose and repair the most recent HVAC systems, whether Haier, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Midea, Lennox, Gree or Ecobreath .
Our certified technicians are familiar with the specific features of inverter systems and advanced defrosting protocols , essential for maintaining optimal performance even during the extreme cold of Quebec.
Thanks to our expertise, the Boisbriand client has regained constant comfort and controlled energy consumption , demonstrating that targeted and methodical intervention can considerably extend the lifespan of an HVAC system.