Almost half of the energy bill pays for heating and cooling the home. Finding the most efficient way to keep the house comfy can keep the wallet fatter and is part of the recent popularity of heat pumps.
But better efficiency isn’t a guard against heat pump failure. Just like with a conventional indoor heating or AC system, the heat pump can develop issues that give lukewarm air in the summer or cold air in the winter.
Let’s look at the most common heat pump problems and what can be done about them:
1. Doesn’t Run
Check that the thermostat is programmed correctly and communicating with the heat pump
If the heat pump isn’t even turning on, there are a few possible causes. First, check that the thermostat is programmed correctly and communicating with the heat pump.
Next, make sure that there isn't a tripped breaker that has caused a power loss or the power switch has been turned off. If users are hearing a faint clicking noise inside the heat pump, they may have a broken starter capacitor.
2. Doesn’t Heat or Cool
If users aren’t getting any hot air through the system, it could be that something is blocking the airflow to the unit. This could be snow, ice, leaves, or other debris outside or even closed vent covers inside. The flow could also be blocked by a dirty air filter, keeping air from getting to the compressor, which is what heats the air.
Conversely, if the pump runs but isn’t cooling, there could be a problem with the reversing valve that switches the pump from heating to AC. There could also be dirty components blocking airflow, or the refrigerant levels might be too low.
3. Doesn’t Blow Air
If users can hear the unit running, but no air is coming out, they may have a broken belt in the blower.
While heat pumps can heat a house even in Alaska, harsh weather conditions can cause the heat pump to freeze or ice over. This severely restricts the airflow causing the unit to struggle and little to no air to blow into the house. If the defrost cycle hasn’t come on, switch the pump off until the condenser unit can defrost.
4. Doesn’t Cycle Correctly
A broken compressor contactor can also cause the pump to run all the time
The system should go through on and off cycles throughout the day. But if the temperatures start to hit the extremes, users might notice the pump seems like it’s running all the time. If that happens when the temperatures are less extreme, users could have an issue with a leaking refrigerant or a frozen outdoor unit.
The thermostat could also be set incorrectly or have a miscalibration issue that causes it to read the temperature inside incorrectly. A broken compressor contactor can also cause the pump to run all the time since it controls how much power goes to the pump.
Get Help With Heat Pump Problems
No matter what age the heat pump is, any of these issues in this heat pump troubleshooting guide can beset the equipment. Regular maintenance each season can keep things running smoothly and catch issues before they become big problems.
If users are experiencing any of the heat pump problems in this guide, it might be time to bring in a pro to take a look. LCS's team can fix any heat pump or HVAC problems users might have.
