In a condo in Ville-Marie , in the heart of Montreal, our AirGreen technicians were called out for a typical… but always urgent situation: a Haxxair wall-mounted heat pump that was only partially functioning. The unit seemed to start normally, displayed the temperature ( 21°C was clearly visible on the display), but the comfort was no longer there: uneven cooling, unusual noise, and above all, the impression that the system was “straining” without delivering the expected performance.
As is often the case in urban environments (condos, compact spaces, installations near the ceiling), a minor malfunction can quickly become very inconvenient—and cause electricity bills to skyrocket. Here's how we proceeded, step by step, to restore this Haxxair wall-mounted unit (Inverter, new generation) to perfect working order.
Context: a discreet wall installation, typical of a Montreal condo
The photo shows a wall-mounted indoor unit installed high on the ceiling , with a minimalist design and a central display. This is exactly the type of unit sought after in condos: quiet, compact, and aesthetically pleasing… provided that maintenance and settings are impeccable.
In this type of environment, the most frequent causes of malfunction are:
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soiling (fine dust + reduced air circulation),
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Condensation drainage partially obstructed
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micro-leaks (flares) on fittings after a few seasons
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dirty sensors or incorrect temperature readings,
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Airflow disrupted by a flap orientation or a dirty heat exchanger.
Symptoms reported by the customer
Upon our arrival, the client described to us:
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a noticeable drop in performance (less efficient air conditioning),
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a breath of air less cold than before,
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an intermittent noise at startup.
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and, at times, excessive humidity in the room.
Even though the display appeared normal, these symptoms pointed to a combined problem: airflow + heat exchange + condensation management (and possibly a refrigerant charge to check).
AirGreen diagnosis: we don't "guess", we measure
Our method is always the same: validate each hypothesis with concrete tests.
1) Visual inspection and immediate maintenance
We started by:
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opening of the unit,
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checking the filters (presence of fine dust),
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inspection of the evaporator (the internal heat exchanger),
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turbine control (often responsible for noise and flow loss),
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condensation tray check.
➡️ Observation: reduced airflow and beginning of internal fouling, enough to impact performance.
2) Condensation drainage check
In a condominium, a partially blocked drain can cause:
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abnormal humidity,
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smells,
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gurgling noise,
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and sometimes drops or micro-condensation.
We have :
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tested the flow,
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cleaned the line
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secured the flow with controlled rinsing.
➡️ Observation: slowed drainage (slight obstruction), corrected immediately.
3) Refrigeration control (pressure, superheating/subcooling, stability)
Next, let's move on to the measures:
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pressure readings,
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control of inlet/outlet air temperatures,
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validation of stability in air conditioning mode,
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compressor monitoring (on-demand behavior).
➡️ Observation: improved performance after cleaning, but still a slight difference suggesting a charge that is not perfectly optimal or a small loss over time.
4) Verification of connections and targeted leak test
On mini-split systems, a micro-leak is very often located:
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at the flare fittings ,
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or on a vibration zone.
We performed a targeted check and tightened to the correct torque where necessary, followed by a validation test.
➡️ Observation: a connection required correction (without major intervention), which stabilized the operation.
Repair completed: full upgrade, no unnecessary replacements
In the end, the AirGreen intervention included:
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Complete cleaning of the indoor unit (filters, heat exchanger, turbine if accessible depending on configuration).
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Unblocking and rinsing the condensation drainage system.
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Correction of a fitting (adjustment and validation) to ensure better stability.
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Performance checks under real-world conditions: blown temperature, stability, noise, duty cycle, response to setpoint.
We always favor a "clean" approach: restoring the machine's actual efficiency before considering replacement. In this particular case, the Haxxair heat pump still had excellent potential—it simply needed to be brought back to its normal settings .
Result: restored comfort, more stable machine, reassured customer
After the procedure:
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The airflow has become strong and constant again.
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The air conditioning has returned to normal cooling capacity .
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The operation has become quieter .
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Excessive humidity has decreased thanks to the restored drainage.
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and above all the customer has regained confidence: the machine is “working” again as it did at the beginning.
In an area like Ville-Marie , where many clients work from home and live in highly optimized spaces, a reliable, stable and quiet HVAC system is not a luxury — it is a condition of daily comfort.
What we recommend to prevent it from happening again
For wall-mounted heat pumps in condos (like this Haxxair ), we recommend:
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Clean the filters every 4 to 6 weeks during the season.
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more in-depth maintenance at least once a year
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monitoring for “subtle” signs: decreased flow rate, odor, noise, humidity,
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Preventive check of fittings if the unit is a few seasons old.
AirGreen in Montreal: precise troubleshooting, without approximations
At AirGreen, our approach is simple: rigorous diagnosis, targeted repair, measurable results . Whether it's a Haxxair wall-mounted heat pump or another residential system, we operate with the same high standards: restoring the unit to its optimal performance, extending its lifespan, and ensuring consistent comfort.