Common Heat Pump Problems
When heat pump problems develop, you can be left in the cold or heat. Here are some common heat pump problems you can troubleshoot with your heat pump.
If you live in the right climate, a heat pump can be a cost effective way to heat and cool your home without the expense of a full HVAC system. Yet, when heat pump problems develop, you can be left, literally, in the cold (or heat). Look for these common heat pump problems so you can troubleshoot when yours isn’t working as it should.
Wrong Temperature
If you’ve set the thermostat at a certain point, but hours later it’s still too hot or too cold, even though the system seems to be running properly, you might have a problem with a sensor, either in the thermostat or in the heat pump itself. Before you start taking things apart, however, check the outdoor temperature. If it’s below 30 degrees, you may simply need to wait out the cold spell. A heat pump is going to struggle to work consistently in extremely cold temperatures. Add a supplemental heat supply to fix this problem.
Functioning Noisily
Noisy heat pumps are not working as they should. Loose connectors are often the problem. Check all screws and fittings. If this is not the problem, contact an HVAC contractor to find it.
Lack of Heat
If your heat pump is providing no heat at all when set to the heat setting, something is wrong. First, try setting the “reset” button on the power supply to see if the power was interrupted. If this does not fix the problem, you could have a more serious problem, like an overloaded motor or failed power supply, which needs professional service.
Frozen Heat Pump
If the heat pump has frozen, start with checking the air filter. If it’s clogged, the pump can get frosted over. If changing the air filter doesn’t fix it, you will need professional service.
