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Réparation d’une thermopompe extérieure Goodman à Saint-Constant
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Repair of a Goodman outdoor heat pump in Saint-Constant

An outdoor unit blocked in the middle of winter

In the middle of winter in Saint-Constant , on Montreal's South Shore , a customer contacted us after noticing that their Goodman outdoor heat pump was no longer defrosting. The unit, installed on a wall bracket near the back wall of the home, was making an irregular noise , and the fan seemed to be running intermittently. As a result, the house was no longer heating properly, and the outdoor compressor was constantly overloading.

Diagnosis: A blocked fan and a faulty defrost sensor

Our AirGreen technicians visited the site to carry out a complete inspection of the outdoor module . From the first visual examination, the main cause became evident:

  • A thick layer of ice had formed around the fan grill;

  • The fan motor was almost stationary, unable to exhaust the hot air;

  • The defrost sensor was no longer responding, preventing the system from switching to automatic defrost mode.

The customer explained that the heat pump had not been serviced for two winters. The buildup of dirt and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures had eventually disrupted the system's operation.

Steps of repair

Our specialists undertook a manual and safe defrosting of the outdoor heat pump:

  1. Complete power outage ;

  2. Application of a non-corrosive de-icer to dissolve the ice without damaging the exchanger fins;

  3. Gentle high pressure cleaning to remove accumulated debris and dust;

  4. Checking the electrical continuity of the defrost probe;

  5. Replacement of the probe with an original Goodman part;

  6. Lubricate and test the fan motor to confirm proper operation.

Once the heat pump was restarted, the fan returned to normal speed, and the system initiated a successful automatic defrost cycle after 15 minutes.

Performance testing and calibration

After the repair, our team performed several tests:

  • Discharge air temperature measured at 2°C (in outdoor heating mode);

  • R-410A refrigerant pressures meet Goodman specifications;

  • Checking the compressor inrush current , stable and without overvoltage;

  • Automatic activation of defrost mode detected at the correct temperature threshold.

These tests confirmed that the heat pump was now operating at full efficiency.

Prevention and recommendations

We explained to the client the best practices for protecting their heat pump during the winter :

  • Maintain a clearance of at least 60 cm around the outdoor unit to promote air circulation;

  • Avoid any obstruction caused by snow or ice;

  • Schedule a comprehensive professional interview in the spring and fall ;

  • Check monthly for proper defrosting during periods of intense cold.

The customer also decided to join our AirGreen Winter Protection program , which includes two annual maintenance visits and priority emergency assistance.

Result: restored comfort and a heat pump ready for winter

Thanks to our intervention, the Goodman heat pump now operates silently, ensuring stable and economical heating despite negative temperatures. This type of repair demonstrates once again the importance of preventive maintenance of outdoor HVAC systems , especially in Quebec where climatic conditions put equipment to the test.

At AirGreen , we repair and maintain all brands — Goodman, Gree, Fujitsu, Midea, Sharp, Bosch, Trane, Lennox, Zephyr — across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore .

AirGreen – Your HVAC partner for guaranteed comfort, even in the middle of winter in Saint-Constant.