Heating failure in the middle of a winter morning in Sainte-Thérèse
One particularly cold February morning, a customer in Sainte-Thérèse , on Montreal's North Shore , contacted us with an emergency: his Turbo Aire central heat pump refused to start. The system, installed for over 15 years, provided both heating and cooling for the home. Despite the customer's repeated attempts to restart it, the outdoor unit remained silent, allowing the interior of the house to cool down quickly.
First step: a precise diagnosis on an aged unit
Upon our arrival, our AirGreen team performed a complete visual inspection . The outdoor unit, recognizable by its hexagonal shape characteristic of older Turbo Aire heat pumps , showed obvious signs of wear: oxidized fins, dust deposits on the coils, and slight cracks on the upper casing.
We started by testing:
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Power supply voltage and main fuse : both in good condition.
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The compressor start relay : silent and inactive.
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The start capacitor : The multimeter reading showed 0 µF — a clear sign that the component was burnt out.
The capacitor is often the root cause of this type of failure in older heat pumps. Without it, the compressor cannot start, thus blocking the entire refrigeration cycle.
Capacitor Replacement and In-Depth Maintenance
We replaced the faulty capacitor with an equivalent model compatible with the older Turbo Aire series. As a precaution, we also replaced the starter relay , which is often used simultaneously in this type of failure.
Before closing the unit, we carried out:
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A complete cleaning of the low pressure condenser to remove accumulated dust.
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A check of the pressure of the R22 refrigerant , still used in this older model.
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Light fan lubrication and motor check.
Result: a functional system and restored efficiency
After restarting, the Turbo Aire central heat pump started effortlessly. Measurements showed a stable indoor supply temperature of 34°C , an excellent performance for a system of this age. We advised the customer to plan for a medium-term replacement , as R22 is now on its way out, but he was pleased to be comfortable again immediately.
Prevention: Lessons from a successful repair
We reminded the owner of some essential good practices :
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Have the condenser and gas pressures checked annually before winter.
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Keep the condenser fins clear of leaves and debris.
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Never cover the outdoor unit completely during the winter — this traps moisture.
With this preventative approach, even older heat pumps can continue to provide many years of reliable service.
AirGreen expertise at your service on the North Shore
At AirGreen , we know that HVAC system breakdowns often occur at the worst possible time. Our technicians, trained and certified by the RBQ and the CCQ , respond quickly in Sainte-Thérèse , Boisbriand , Blainville , and throughout the North Shore . We have a large inventory of compatible parts for older brands like Turbo Aire, Lennox, Goodman, Trane, or Comfortmaker , which allows us to carry out most repairs on the first visit.
A repair that extends the life of the system
Thanks to this intervention, our client avoided premature replacement, saving several thousand dollars. His Turbo Aire central heat pump now operates stably and quietly. We offered him our annual AirGreen maintenance program , which includes cleaning, checking the capacitors and control boards, and a complete pressure and leak inspection.
This type of monitoring helps anticipate breakdowns, ensure better energy efficiency , and extend the life of HVAC systems by several years.