Heat pump gone out? Maybe it’s still making noise and doing something, but your home isn’t comfortable anymore (or your bills are going crazy). While there are countless reasons this could be happening, most of them boil down to a few common headaches we see day after day as HVAC technicians.
Cycling Incorrectly
If your heat pump starts cycling incorrectly, it will never get your home to your target temperature. This typically occurs as a symptom of another problem; dirty filters, refrigerant leaks, frozen coils, electrical issues, thermostat problems, etc.
All you can do is clean the filter, wait for frozen coils to thaw and dry thoroughly, and see if things work better — if they don’t, it’s time for a pro.
Malfunctioning Blower
Your heat pump uses a blower to push air across the refrigerant to cool or heat your home, which means that the second your blower goes out, the system stops working altogether — the heat can still move in or out of your home, but you won’t be able to enjoy that in terms of home comfort.
Before reaching out to a professional, you can confirm that your blower isn’t just blocked by obstruction like an air filter clog or closed vents. Issues with your blower could be physical damage to the structure of the component, locked-up bearings, etc., which can quickly be replaced.
Dirty Coils or Fan
Dirt can cause many issues for a heat pump because it impedes mechanical motion and heat transfer. Dirty coils, for example, are much more likely to accumulate moisture and freeze over if they’re dirty, resulting in a system that won’t work, while a dirty fan is much more likely to have something break or for bearings to end up locked up.
Routine maintenance to clean coils, fans, and other components is essential to avoid this; you can do the basics on your own, but this should also be part of your annual heat pump maintenance visit.
Thermostat Malfunctioning
A small problem with your thermostat can leave you with a system that works perfectly fine but won’t do anything for you. Issues like dead batteries are quick to fix, but a problem like miscalibration or a system wearing out due to age will require professional attention for a tune-up or complete replacement.
Low Refrigerant Levels
A heat pump works by moving heat around using heat exchangers and refrigerant; nothing works without enough refrigerant to carry the heat. It usually occurs due to a leak in your refrigerant lines, though they aren’t always substantial enough to be easily noticed.
With a quick recharge of your system (and check for leaks), you’ll be back to enjoying efficient heating and cooling in no time.
What To Do When Your Heat Pump Stops Working
When your heat pump stops working, or any HVAC system stops working, it’s essential to get it taken care of quickly. If your system is acting up but barely keeping your home tolerable, that’s not a reason to ignore the issue; it will only get worse and more expensive over time. The same goes for problems you can resolve on your own but keep happening, like freezing coils, a breaker flipping, or a completely inconsistent thermostat.
Let a professional assess the situation and help you with the routine tune-up, repairs, or total replacement necessary to get things back to normal.
Why Choose Classic Aire Care?
When you need help with your heat pump, make sure you get the quality of service and equipment you need to be comfortable again without fuss or delay. Our NATE-certified technicians, free estimates, and Classic Ultimate Quality Guarantee ensure a straightforward experience no matter how big or small your heat pump issues turn out to be.
To request heat pump services in the St. Louis area, contact Classic Aire Care today by calling (314) 329-1943 or contacting us online.
