Your heat pump operates just like a central air conditioner with the added benefit of providing heat for your home during the winter season. Some of the common issues covered in this heat pump troubleshooting guide include:
· Blowing cold air in heat mode
· Heat pump running constantly in moderate weather
· Outdoor unit is blocked
· Outdoor unit is frozen
· Fan on the indoor air handler not activating
Read through the information that follows about heat pump problems and do a little leg work before you contact your local HVAC technician for a service call. You just might save a little money!
Blowing Cold Air in Heat Mode
If your heat pump system is blowing cold or room temperature air while the thermostat is set for heat mode, there are a few common situations you can resolve without even looking at heat pump itself.
Check your thermostat - Double check that the system didn’t accidentally get set for cooling. Also check your fan control settings. If you like to run your fan continuously for air circulation and filtering, you may be feeling room temperature or cool air because the system isn’t actively heating. Re-setting the system to heat mode and the fan to auto mode should solve these issues.
If checking the thermostat doesn’t solve the problem, and your system still isn’t heating and cooling correctly, you’ll need to start looking more closely at the indoor and outdoor units as outlined below.
Heat Pump Running Constantly in Moderate Weather
Because your heat pump relies on heating energy from outdoor air, it can be completely normal for a unit to run all the time in extreme temperatures as it tries to extract enough heat for your home. But if the temperature outside is moderately warm, and the unit is still struggling or constantly running, it’s time to do a little heat pump troubleshooting.
Check your thermostat – Begin by checking the thermostat settings. Is the heat pump set on air conditioning mode? If so, changing to the heat setting should fix the problem.
System tune-up – If it’s not a thermostat setting, your heat pump may need a tune-up. Having your heat pump serviced regularly by a professional, qualified HVAC technician can provide higher efficiency operation and more reliable comfort. One service typically offered during routine maintenance is cleaning your outdoor coil. If the coil is extremely dirty, your system may have trouble keeping up with heating demand.
Clean/replace air filter – Another service your HVAC tech may perform is checking the air filter located in or near your indoor air handler unit. A dirty or clogged air filter can cause the system to run longer and less effectively. It should be cleaned or replaced. This is something you can easily do yourself as well.
More serious issues – However, if it is mildly cold outside, the unit has been serviced recently and it is running constantly, you may have a deeper issue such as:
· frozen coil
· malfunctioning reversing valve
· low refrigerant charge
· compressor issue
For each of these situations, it is generally best to contact a professional for diagnosis and heat pump repair.
Outdoor Unit is Blocked
Your heat pump system needs unrestricted air flow through the outdoor coil to work efficiently and effectively. If your system is not heating effectively or if it is running constantly, check the outdoor unit for excessive debris such as leaves or snow blockages. If the unit is blocked or obstructed in any way, remove the source of the blockage, then resume monitoring the temperature inside. If you still have issues, and have followed the remaining troubleshooting tips, it’s time to contact a professional. Remember, fixing a smaller issue now is better than waiting for a bigger issue – and bigger bill – later.
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