Fault finding & repairs

Air Conditioning Repair in Manchester

Not cooling, leaking water, making a racket or flashing an error code? Our F-Gas certified engineers diagnose and repair air conditioning faults on all major makes, for homes and businesses across Greater Manchester.

Systems
All major makes
Leaks & re-gassing
F-Gas certified
Customers
Homes & businesses

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When air conditioning goes wrong, it’s usually at the worst moment: a heatwave, a busy shop floor or a bedroom that won’t cool down at night. We find the cause properly, explain it in plain English and give you a clear price to put it right.

We repair wall-mounted split systems, multi-split systems, console units and commercial cassette and ducted systems, whoever installed them.

What to check before calling an engineer

A few quick checks can save you a call-out:

  1. Power: is the isolator switch on and the circuit breaker in the consumer unit up?
  2. Remote: are the batteries good, and is it set to Cool (or Heat) rather than Fan or Dry?
  3. Set temperature: is it set below the room temperature for cooling?
  4. Filters: are they clogged? Rinse them, let them dry and refit them.
  5. Outdoor unit: is anything blocking the fan or coil, such as leaves, covers or stored items?

If none of that helps, or there’s water, ice, burning smells or an error code, switch the system off and get in touch.

How we diagnose and repair air conditioning faults

We start with the system’s own error history, then test electrical components, sensors, fan motors and refrigerant pressures to find the root cause rather than the symptom. Many faults, such as blocked drains, failed capacitors, loose connections or faulty sensors, can be fixed on the first visit. Where a part needs ordering, we’ll tell you the cost and lead time before going ahead.

Refrigerant leaks and re-gassing

Air conditioning is a sealed system, so if it’s low on refrigerant, there’s a leak. Topping it up without finding that leak just means paying for the same problem again. We locate and repair the leak, pressure test the circuit and then recharge it with the correct amount of refrigerant. By law, this work must be carried out by an F-Gas certified engineer, and Manchester Air Conditioning is REFCOM registered under the F-Gas scheme.

Insulated refrigerant pipework inspected for leaks along a commercial building
Insulated refrigerant pipework is pressure tested after any leak repair.

Repair or replace? How to decide

Repair or replace comparison
SituationUsually the better option
System under 10 years old with a single faultRepair
Minor leak, blocked drain, failed sensor or capacitorRepair
Compressor failure on an older, out-of-warranty systemOften replace
System running on R22 refrigerantReplace: R22 can no longer be used to service systems in the UK
Frequent breakdowns and rising running costsConsider replacing with a modern inverter system

If replacement makes more sense, we’ll say so honestly and quote for a new air conditioning installation. The final decision is always yours.

Preventing the next breakdown

Many of the call-outs we attend, especially leaks from blocked drains and systems struggling with dirty coils, could have been avoided with routine maintenance. Once your system is repaired, an annual air conditioning service is the best way to keep it that way.

Symptoms we fix

Common air conditioning problems and their likely causes

Recognise the symptom? Here’s what usually causes it.

Not cooling, or blowing warm air

The unit runs but the room stays warm.

Likely causes: Blocked filters or coils, low refrigerant from a leak, a failing compressor or a faulty sensor.

Water leaking from the indoor unit

Drips or streaks below the indoor unit.

Likely causes: A blocked condensate drain, a failed condensate pump or an incorrectly levelled unit.

Ice on the pipes or coil

Frost forming on pipework or the outdoor unit in cooling mode.

Likely causes: Restricted airflow, very dirty filters or low refrigerant charge.

Won’t switch on, or keeps cutting out

No response from the remote, or the unit stops after a few minutes.

Likely causes: Power or wiring faults, a failed PCB or capacitor, or a protection device tripping.

Unusual noises or vibration

Rattling, buzzing, grinding or a loud outdoor unit.

Likely causes: Loose panels or brackets, worn fan bearings or debris in the fan.

Error codes and flashing lights

A code on the display or lights flashing in a pattern.

Likely causes: The system’s self-diagnosis has flagged a fault. Note the code down before you call us.

Questions & answers

Air conditioning repair FAQs

Why is my air conditioner running but not cooling?

The most common causes are blocked filters or coils, low refrigerant caused by a leak, or a problem with the compressor or outdoor fan. Check the filters and that the unit is in Cool mode first. If it still isn’t cooling, it needs an engineer.

Why is water dripping from my air conditioning unit?

Indoor units produce condensate water as they cool. If the drain line is blocked, the condensate pump has failed or the unit isn’t level, that water overflows. Switch the unit off to avoid damage and book a repair.

Can you re-gas my air conditioning?

Yes, but only after finding and repairing the leak that caused it to lose refrigerant. Our F-Gas certified engineers carry out leak detection, repair, pressure testing and recharging.

How much does an air conditioning repair cost?

It depends on the fault and any parts needed. We diagnose the problem first and give you a clear price before carrying out any repair work.

Do you repair systems installed by other companies?

Yes. We repair all the major makes of air conditioning, regardless of who installed them.

Request an air conditioning repair

Use the form to describe the problem, including the make of system and any error code, or call us to talk it through.

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