Common Heat Pump Problems and Solutions

​A heat pump that isn't cooling your house is the kind of issue you should take care of as soon as possible to keep your family safe and comfortable as summer temperatures rise. We're going to look at some of the most typical issues that could be causing your heat pump to break down.

Before we get into the reasons your heat pump isn't working, remember that while some repairs may be completed by hand, others require the assistance of a qualified heat pump repair specialist. If you do decide you need the assistance of a qualified HVAC contractor, get in touch with the customer concierge staff at cozyheatingandcooling.com, and they can put you in touch with a respectable HVAC specialist in your region.
Think about whether your malfunctioning unit could be the result of one of these most typical heat pump issues.

Common Heat Pump Problems and Solutions

​Heat pumps are perfect for managing our variable hot and cool seasons since they offer a wonderful balance of energy economy and dependability. Having said that, they differ slightly from other, more typical forced air furnaces or air conditioning systems. When trying to troubleshoot issues, it's common for a homeowner to run into dead ends.

You've come to the right place if you're seeking for more information about typical heat pump issues and how to resolve them; the licensed HVAC specialists at Cozy Heating and Cooling are here to assist.

Heat Pump is Running All the Time

The brief, irregular cycles of an electric central air conditioning system or gas furnace are probably familiar to you. Heat pumps, on the other hand, actually run extremely slowly and steadily; in harsh conditions, they may run continuously or for extended periods of time.

You might need to contact for assistance, though, if your heat pump is running nonstop and spitting, chugging, or failing to provide the level of warmth you require in your house. If not, let the device operate.

Heat Pump Has Ice and Frost on the Outdoor Unit

​Because of the refrigeration cycle, heat pumps usually produce a tiny quantity of ice on the outside unit. The purpose of the defrost mode on heat pumps is to periodically clear the system of extra ice. But! In certain situations, your system may freeze over completely or develop an ice coat.

Sometimes this is merely a glitch, and you can clear the ice by turning off the system and allowing it to thaw, or by using a constant stream of water. Never use a blunt or sharp instrument to remove ice! Each bent fin detracts little from the system's efficiency because the fins surrounding your outside unit are rather brittle.

You should arrange heat pump repair if your system freezes up repeatedly, or even twice in a single season. This shouldn't be occurring, and it most likely denotes a refrigerant or airflow issue.

Heat Pump is Leaking Water at the Indoor Unit

Your heat pump should manage condensate and draining indoors in the same manner as other HVAC systems; runoff water should be collected and directed outside using a drain pan and drain line. You should have the heat pump serviced if there is a leak. Most likely, you have a condensate drain pan crack, a blocked drain line, or another drainage issue.

Heat Pump Won’t Switch From Heat to Cool

​A part of heat pumps is known as a reversing valve. By doing this, the heat pump is switched from drawing air from the outside of your house to drawing air inside (or, to put it another way, from cool mode to heat mode). An older heat pump's valve often jams easily or breaks completely, which is one of the more frequent issues. In these situations, a professional will need to replace the valve, which means you'll need heat pump repair.

Before contacting for emergency heat pump repair, always double-check that all of the settings on your thermostat are accurate. The frequency of simple user error is more than you might imagine!

4 Common Heat Pump Problems and What You Should Do

Heat Pump Won’t Turn On

Lack of power is frequently the cause of an inoperable heat pump. To begin with, make sure your system is in heat mode and set to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature in your home by checking the settings on your thermostat. Next, examine your electrical panel to see if your circuit breaker has tripped. Recent thermostat purchases may not be compatible with your heat pump or may have been connected incorrectly, which can lead to the destruction of delicate heat pump and thermostat components and thermostat failure. Should your heat pump have been installed by you or a general handyman, you may need to contact a qualified HVAC service specialist.

Heat Pump Blows Cold Air In Heat Mode

​Make sure your heat pump is in heating mode rather than cooling mode if it is spewing cold air. If it's chilly outside, it can also be in defrost mode. If the latter, your system should resume regular operation when the defrost procedure, which takes about ten to fifteen minutes, is finished. If the chilly air is still being blasted by your system, consider looking for a filthy air filter. Anything that restricts airflow may have an effect on how well your heat pump works. The most frequent offender is usually a dirty air filter, but there could be other culprits like debris suffocating the outside unit or unclean coils that require expert cleaning. It is advised to give your local heater repair agency a call to further diagnose the issue if none of these fixes work.

Heat Pump Is Struggling To Warm Your Home

Many of the same issues that lead to a system blowing cold air while in heat mode can also cause this condition. These issues include unclean coils, debris like grass or weeds obstructing circulation around the external unit, and dirty home air filters. Physical obstructions within your house, such as furniture obstructing registers and vents, may possibly be the source of the problem. Airflow and system performance are all lowered by these problems.

Strange Smells

Odd smells typically spell trouble for your system and require professional attention. Worrisome odors include:

•     A musty smell, which could indicate mold growth inside your unit.
•     A rotting smell or the smell of excrement, pointing to animal infiltration into your unit or ductwork.
•     A burning smell, indicating serious electrical issues.

Avoid snowballing heat pump repair costs. Don’t wait to fix heat pump problems. Contact H & H Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule service for your system today.