In a residence in Sainte-Thérèse (North Shore) , we were recently called out to service a Goodman wall-mounted heat pump . On site, the indoor unit was installed high up, above a large piece of furniture (a very common configuration in family homes), which can sometimes complicate air circulation and regular maintenance if the filters are not easily accessible.
The customer described a simple… but frustrating problem: the machine worked “in fits and starts” . Some days, everything was fine. Other times, it had a weak fan, struggled to heat up, and the atmosphere became uncomfortable, especially early in the morning and at the end of the day.
Machine type and installation context
This is a Goodman wall-mounted heat pump (mini-split/wall unit) . Visually, it features a horizontal indoor unit with a motorized louver and a discreet display, typical of residential installations.
In this house, the unit was installed:
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very close to the ceiling , which is correct, but requires precise adjustment of the shutter to avoid "dead" zones;
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above a large piece of furniture , which can influence the return air if the space in front of the unit is cluttered or if dust accumulates more quickly.
Symptoms reported by the customer
The symptoms described corresponded to a mixture of performance and flow issues:
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Inconsistent heating (warm air, difficulty reaching the set temperature)
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reduced airflow at times
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slight musty smell upon startup
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and, occasionally, traces of water observed near the area under the unit (without a constant drip)
This type of combination often points to a maintenance problem (fouling), condensate drainage problem, or the beginning of a drift on the refrigerant side.
AirGreen diagnosis: method and checks
As always, we proceeded step by step, without “guessing”:
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Visual inspection and condition of the indoor unit
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Filters: clogged (fine dust + fibers)
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Evaporator: visible accumulation, reducing heat exchange
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flap and turbine: light deposit that may impair airflow
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Drainage check
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Condensate tray: abnormal humidity level for this time of year
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Drain: slowed flow , a typical sign of the beginning of a blockage (biofilm/dust)
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Electrical and electronic controls
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Power and communication: stable
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Sensors (ambient temperature / coil): readings are consistent, but response is slow due to fouling and residual moisture.
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Refrigeration control (exterior side as well)
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Pressure and heating performance: acceptable but not optimal , which is consistent with an excessively dirty internal heat exchanger and imperfect drainage.
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Fitting inspection: slight weakness in one fitting (typical of micro-leaks on flares if the tightening is not perfect or if vibration has played a role over time)
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Repair and restoration: what we have actually done
1) Thorough cleaning (not just a simple “rinse”)
We performed a deep cleaning of the Goodman indoor unit:
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Filter cleaning (degreasing and rinsing)
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Controlled cleaning of the evaporator (using appropriate products and surface protection)
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light sanitation to reduce musty odors
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Turbine inspection and cleaning to restore normal airflow
Immediate result: stronger, more stable air , and better distribution in the room.
2) Unblocking and securing the condensate drain
Next we have:
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purged the drainage line,
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eliminated the incipient obstruction,
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validated a clear and continuous flow .
This is a key step: a partially blocked drain can cause water stains, internal moisture, odors, and sometimes protective shutdowns depending on the model.
3) Refrigerant side intervention (prevention + performance)
Given the “almost acceptable but not perfect” performance and the weakness detected at the connection, we have:
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checked for leaks,
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corrected the connection in question,
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stabilized the load according to the measured behavior.
Objective: to prevent a small deviation from becoming a real breakdown (loss of capacity, icing, overconsumption, compressor wear).
Final tests and results
After the system was put back into service, we carried out a complete series of tests:
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cold start, acceleration, stability
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Heating blower temperature: significantly improved
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Airflow: back to normal
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Drainage: OK, no retention
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Noise and vibration: None
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Comfort in the area: quick return to a pleasant temperature
The customer mainly noticed two things: consistency (more “mood” from one day to the next) and the feeling of comfort (fewer unnecessary cycles, more genuine warmth).
Key takeaway: why this type of breakdown often occurs
In residential settings, a wall-mounted heat pump like this Goodman can lose a lot of efficiency for very simple reasons:
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Forgotten filters (often “it still works”… until the day it doesn’t)
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Clogged evaporator (reduced performance + risk of odors)
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Drain that gradually becomes blocked (humidity, water stains, blockages)
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micro-leaks or fittings that shift over time (performance that “slips”)
The good news: when you intervene early, you avoid major breakdowns and extend the life of the system.
Need a Goodman wall-mounted heat pump repair on the North Shore?
At AirGreen, we repair and restore Goodman wall-mounted systems to optimal performance, taking the time to properly diagnose the problem (and not just "reset" the unit). When the heat pump starts providing stable heating and healthy air again, the whole house breathes easier.