Heat Pump Issues that Could Require Service Calls

As you consider buying a heat pump, you may want to know what can go wrong.

Here are 5 common problems that may require a service call. We use the term “common” but the good news is that most heat pumps from the major brands are very well built. Breakdowns really aren’t all that common and you probably won’t have consistent reason to call in a heat pump contractor.

Five Most Common Heat Pump Problems

No Power: The heat pump should be on and nothing is happening. You check to make sure the thermostat is on and set to the right temperature. But still nothing. What’s happening? Probably nothing major, but determining what it is can be tricky. You should check the breaker at the circuit box and the breaker outside your home near the condensing unit. If those are on, it could be a burned out wire, failed connector or transformer, a defective capacitor or several other things. Service technicians have a checklist that usually leads them to the problem quickly.

No Heat: The culprit could be something as simple as a faulty thermostat or a failed temperature sensor. Or it may be something more complex like a bad circuit board or worst of all, a bad compressor. Tracking the trouble can be very difficult for a homeowner. A heat pump professional should be able to diagnosis the issue fairly quickly.

Insufficient Heat: Heat pumps work very well in cool weather, but their effectiveness starts to diminish when temperatures fall into the lower 30s and below. If you set your thermostat for 72 degrees in very cold weather, but the unit is struggling to get it to 70 degrees, you may have one of two problems.

• First, the unit may be undersized. Did the contractor do a Manual J load calculation before recommending a system for your home? If so, size is probably not the problem.

• Second, it may be that your heat pump needs more auxiliary heat. Most air handlers are equipped with heat strips that are like space heaters in the air handler and are used to help keep your home warm when temperatures are unseasonably cold.

If the system is undersized and it is the first winter of operation, the HVAC contractor should be responsible for replacing it with a larger unit. If severe cold is the issue, you may need more auxiliary heat.

Noisy Operation: Like with a car, over time, things inside the heat pump or air handler can begin to rattle, grind or vibrate. The most common causes include loose nuts, fittings or connectors. Or the bearing on the blower motor could be shot. Again, the HVAC technician should be able to identify the problem and resolve it very quickly.

Freezing of the Heat Pump: Heat pumps create very cold temperature when cooling and if they aren’t properly regulated, they can freeze up. Turning them off to let them thaw for 5-15 minutes will relieve the immediate issue, but fixing it long-term is the goal. This situation often results from a dirty air filter which leads to the unit frosting up and eventually freezing.

Diagnosing the issue can be tough for a homeowners, but not for a trained HVAC pro. Give them a call if any problem arises that is hard to find or doesn’t have a solution you can handle.

5 Common Heat Pump Problems that May Require a Service Call

Heat Pump Problems: Outside unit will not start Possible Solutions: Defective circuit breaker, disconnected wires, defective thermostat

Heat Pump Problems: Circuit breaker continually trips when unit starts Possible Solutions: Defective breakers, capacitors

Heat Pump Problems: Outside unit runs but not fan Possible Solutions): Fan motor burned out, loose wires, bad capacitor

Heat Pump Problems: Heat pump collects ice Possible Solutions): Filters dirty, evaporator coil dirty, blower motor bad

Heat Pump Problems: Cold air blowing in the vents during winter (should be warm) Possible Solutions): Low on refrigerant, defective heat pump, vents blocked, filter blocked

Heat Pump Problems: Outdoor unit will not turn off Possible Solutions): Defective thermostat, refrigerant loss

Heat pumps can be extremely efficient in their use of energy. One of the most common of all heat pump problems is that the coils in the outside unit have a tendency to form a build-up of ice. The heat pump has to melt this ice , so it turns back to air-conditioner operation in order to heat up the coils. The unit may also contain some sort of burner or an electric heater to heat this cold air. As soon as the ice is melted, the heat pump will switch back to heating, then turns off the electric heater or burner.

If you are experiencing heat pump problems — -Make a note of when the problem occurs: all the time? Or just intermittently? -Note what you see and hear: what is running, what is not? -Note the manufacturer, model and any add-ons -Call your service professional; tell them you are experiencing heat pump problems, how long it has been going on, and all other pertinent info gathered -NEVER attempt a DIY repair the unit yourself. You will NOT save money, may void your warranty, and possibly damage the unit or injure yourself.

Another great option for those using ground source heat pumps is to use it for heating hot water. Ground source heat pumps can be installed with an add-on device called a ‘desuperheater’ – this device partially heats your water. In summertime, when your air conditioner is running (and ground source heat pumps can double as air conditioners), the desuperheater will use some of the extra heat taken out by the air conditioning process to heat your hot water! So, in the summertime, your water will be heated for free! In wintertime, part of the heating power of ground source heat pump is used to heat the water. If, in your home, your ground source heat pump operates most of the time (especially to cool things off in the summer) you can save lots of $$ in heating your water. Truly, ground source heat pumps are a modern miracle of engineering!

While you cannot service your unit, there are some things you CAN do by way of preventive maintenance that will help prevent most heat pump problems: -Clean off the fan blades of the blower (if you can see them) -Tighten all mounting bolts if they are loose -Check for loose hoses or wires – notify a pro if you find any -If you have removable filters, check them regularly and clean or replace them as directed in your owner’s manual.

Who is the best person to call if you are experiencing heat pump problems? The person most knowledgeable about your system is the person/company who installed it.

Most manufacturers will not help you to directly resolve your heat pump problems, they will usually refer you to a qualified repair technician.

If you suspect that you have been sold a defective unit, or that it was not installed properly, you may contact your local state agency or federal consumer advocacy department for further assistance with your heat pump problems.

Consumer tips – -Use reliable contractors -Ask lots of questions -Before spending a lot of money, get 2 or 3 additional estimates

Learn How to Diagnose and Repair Heat Pump Problems