Heating

If you live in a moderate climate, a heat pump is a great choice for your home. This system can provide both heating and cooling. In the winter, it can absorb heat from the outdoor air and use it to provide heating indoors, while in the summer, it extracts heat from the indoor air and moves it outdoors. It is an efficient system that provides the comfort that you need throughout each season. However, like every appliance, a heat pump can come across certain problems. The pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical have prepared a heat pump troubleshooting guide to diagnose and fix the most common issues.

 

  • Heat Pump Freezing

 

 

    1. If there is a sudden drop in the temperature outside, your heat pump might freeze up a little bit. However, your unit can go into defrost mode by switching into reverse—this prompts the coils to heat up; helping your unit to successfully remove any frost. There might be other reasons your unit is icing up that you need to keep an eye out for:

      • Low Refrigerant
        Refrigerant is a cooling agent your unit uses to cool your home. It is an important component of your heat pump and since your system is a closed-loop, refrigerant should not be lessening. If it does, chances are you have a crack in one of the refrigerant lines, which is causing the freezing. To repair this crack and add refrigerant, you will need to contact an HVAC technician as they are licensed to handle refrigerant—never handle refrigerant problems on your own!
      • Blocked Outdoor Unit
        If your outdoor unit is blocked by debris and leaves, this might be decreasing the airflow which will cause icing in the winter. Be sure to remove any debris from your outdoor unit and keep a clearance of 2 feet around it.
      • Problem with Reverse Valve
        If your unit is not defrosting, there might be an issue with the reverse valve which can help defrost your unit. Contact your HVAC technician to inspect this.
      • Leaky Gutters
        If your heat pump is freezing up, chances are you have some leaky gutters that are dripping water onto the unit, which is eventually freezing up. Be sure to repair them as soon as possible, to prevent further trouble!

 

    1. Heat Pump is Not Producing Enough Heat/ Cool Air
      If your heat pump is not giving you the warmth that it usually does, make sure your thermostat is turned “ON,” on “heat mode” and on “auto” instead of “fan.” If the thermostat setting is right, there is a chance that your airflow might be blocked by a clogged filter. A clean air filter can maintain consistent airflow in your home, and reduce your unit’s energy consumption by up to 15 %.To ensure your heat pump is producing cool air, in the summer months, make sure your thermostat is on “cool” and check your air filter once or twice every month. Keep in mind, that lack of cool air can be caused by low refrigerant—so it is best to have your unit inspected to ensure it has the cooling agent it needs.

 

  1. Long Cycles
    Your heat pump cools or heats in cycles that don’t last longer than 10 minutes. If you think your heat pump is running constantly, it might overheat and be running over time. This might be caused by air leaks in your home or a clogged air filter. Make sure your home is sealed up properly so outdoor air isn’t entering your home and indoor air is not escaping.

Having Heat Pump Problems? Contact American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical!

We hope this heat pump troubleshooting guide was helpful. If you are having any heat pump problems, get in touch with the pros at American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical! Call us today at (407) 603-4410 or schedule an appointment online!

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