Welcome to our Napoleon air conditioner repair guide, where you’ll learn about common issues, how to replace your filter, troubleshooting tips, and more.
Please note, the following is for informational purposes only. Any servicing you attempt is at your own risk.
Table of contents
Napoleon At a Glance
Napoleon has been around since 1976. Today, they are a trusted and reliable Canadian manufacturer of heating and cooling systems, gas and wood fireplaces, and other HVAC products.
A Napoleon air conditioner is a great investment, but it’s important to know how to maintain the unit properly, recognize certain problems, and when you need help from a technician. To help you with that, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide about Napoleon air conditioner repair information.
How to Replace Your Napoleon Air Filter
One of the essential maintenance tasks you should take care of regularly is cleaning the filter on your air conditioner. This ensures your cooling system works as efficiently as possible, will save you money on energy bills, will improve your indoor air quality, and will increase the lifespan of the unit. But if you’ve never cleaned your Napoleon air conditioner filter before, then here’s a step-by-step guide:
- On the indoor unit, lift the front panel
- Hold the tab on the end of the filter and push it upward as you pull it toward yourself, and then pull out the filter
- Clean the small filter with a handheld vacuum and the larger one with warm, soapy water
- Rinse the filter and leave it to dry in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight
- Slide the filter back into place and close the front panel
What’s Wrong With Your Napoleon Air Conditioner?
Remember to turn your a/c completely off before opening it up to look around or attempt any fix.
Air conditioners encounter problems just like any other device, and being able to identify the different issues could save you time, money, and headaches. Below are some of the most common air conditioner repairs and troubleshooting tips. Remember to turn your A/C completely off before opening it up to look around or attempt any fix.
Air not blowing properly?
This likely means the filter is dirty and needs to be replaced or cleaned. To avoid this problem, clean or change the unit’s air filter every one to three months, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Unit smells?
Air conditioner filters can absorb smells from your home, including smoke and cooking smells, and then circulate them around the house. If you notice bad smells being emitted from your cooling system, it’s likely that the filter is dirty and needs to be cleaned.
Low refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a key component in your cooling system, and if it gets low because of use or a leak, then it can cause several problems. Three of the most common indications that your refrigerant is low are ice on the refrigerant line, hissing or bubbling noises, and the unit blowing hot air. To fix the problem, you need to top up the refrigerant supply.
Not cooling correctly?
There can be many causes for this issue, but often it’s something as simple as a problem with the thermostat. For starters, check the thermostat settings to ensure it’s set to the right temperature for your comfort. You should also make sure the thermostat is in a position where the temperature setting isn’t being impacted by things like sunlight or heat from the kitchen, and see that it’s clean inside.
Dirty or corroded coils?
Air conditioning units have evaporator coils and condenser coils. Condenser coils are outside the unit and can become dirty. These coils should be rinsed annually to prevent dirt buildup. Evaporator coils, on the other hand, can be vulnerable to corrosion and should be serviced regularly to prevent this.
Seized compressor?
The compressor is responsible for starting and maintaining cooling cycles, so it’s a key component in the proper operation of your cooling system. The compressor can break down for many reasons, including low refrigerant, and if this happens, the unit will not work.
Air Conditioner Error Codes
Note that these error codes may or may not be accurate or apply to your system. Each manufacturer has a range of different sensor and error codes used for different model lines and these may differ from one model series, production run, region, and may have been updated at any time. This not a comprehensive list and these are for informational purposes only. Any use of them is at your own risk.
Error Codes
| Fault | Description |
|---|---|
| Unit will not operate | Power disconnected or loose connection |
| Blown fuse / breaker tripped | |
| Thermostat out of calibration is set too high | |
| Contactor defective | |
| Transformer defective | |
| High pressure control open (if provided) | |
| Outdoor fan on; Compressor off | Run or start capacitor defective |
| Start relay defective | |
| Loose wire | |
| Compressor stuck, grounded or open motor winding, open internal overload | |
| Too little cooling | Low voltage condition |
| Improperly sized unit | |
| Improper indoor airflow | |
| Incorrect refrigerant charge | |
| Air, non-condensables or moisture in system | |
| Compressor operates in short cycles | Incorrect voltage |
| Defective overload protector | |
| Refrigerant undercharge | |
| High head pressure; Low suction pressure | Restriction in liquid line, expansion device or filter drier |
| Lack of sufficient indoor airflow | |
| High head pressure; Normal suction pressure | Dirty outdoor coil |
| Refrigerant overcharge | |
| Outdoor fan not running | |
| Air or non-condensables in system | |
| Low head pressure; High suction pressure | Expansion device stuck in open position |
| Defective compressor valves | |
| Low suction pressure; Compressor cool; Ice on indoor coi | Low indoor airflow |
| Operating below 65degF outdoors | |
| Moisture in system | |
| High suction pressure; or fluctuating head and suction pressures | Excessive load |
| Defective compressor | |
| TXV hunting | |
| Air or non-condensibles in system | |
| Pulsing noise at expansion device or liquid line | Air or non-condensibles in system |
| Registers sweat | Low indoor airflow |
When to Get a Technician for Napoleon Air Conditioner Repairs
Some air conditioner problems require attention from a licensed technician, such as if the unit is not responsive or is operating erratically. Further, if you notice any of the following issues, you should turn the air conditioner off right away and call a technician in for repairs as soon as possible:
- There’s a burning smell coming from the unit
- Condenser coil is heavily soiled
- Unit is making loud sounds
- Circuit breaker trips regularly
- Water is leaking from the unit
- Evaporator coil is corroded
- Power cord gets hot
- Power cord is worn or frayed
- Compressor stops working
Who to Call For Napoleon Air Conditioner Repairs
Knowing you need an air conditioner repair is one thing, but knowing where to go for that help is another. It can be tough to choose a trusted and reliable HVAC technician, and that’s why we have an HVAC contractor certification page so you can use to find a technician in your area. These technicians have been independently vetted for things like licensing compliance, pricing, staff, experience, reputation, and more.
Napoleon’s Warranty Coverage
Depending on the model and age of your air conditioner, you may be covered by a warranty that would cover the cost of replacement parts should anything go wrong. For air conditioner models with a SEER of 14 or 16, Napoleon offers a 10-year compressor limited warranty and a 10-year parts limited warranty. For their 13 SEER air conditioner model, you get the same compressor and parts warranty, but they expire after five years.
Protect your Napoleon air conditioner: Register and access your Napoleon A/C warranty here
