Heat pumps offer many benefits to homeowners, but the biggest one is their combination of heating and cooling functions in one unit. When the colder weather of winter comes around, all it takes to change a heat pump into heating mode is an adjustment on the thermostat.
But heat pumps can malfunction, just like any other machine, and you might find yourself in a situation where your heat pump isn’t doing the “heat” half of its job. This is frustrating during the winter, but it’s often something you can fix either through basic troubleshooting or by calling JN Electrical Temperature Control for heat pump repair in Hart County.
In this post, we’ll examine several common reasons why you may have a heat pump that won’t heat and what you can do about it.
Thermostat Issues
We’ll start with the control center of the heat pump, the thermostat. Often, troubles with a heat pump not working correctly are because of problems with the thermostat communicating with it. ]
For example, if the thermostat is miscalibrated so that it’s reading the house as warmer than it is, the heat pump may not come on at the temperature you set it at. The thermostat may also lose its connection to the reversing valve, the key component that causes the heat pump to change between heating and cooling modes. Professionals can diagnose and quickly solve thermal problems.
Broken Reversing Valve
The reversing valve is a part of a heat pump that makes it different from an air conditioner. A heat pump runs similarly to an air conditioner, but the reversing valve is what allows it to switch the direction that it runs so it can also operate as a heater.
This valve can become stuck, and that will cause the heat pump to stay stuck in one mode. If your heat pump will only run in cooling mode, it’s possible you need to call professionals to replace a broken reversing valve.
Refrigerant Levels
A heat pump will retain the same level of refrigerant through its service life—unless it develops leaks. Loss of refrigerant levels will hinder the heat pump’s ability to move heat into a home. If professionals don’t repair the leaks and refill the lost refrigerant, the heat pump is at risk of its compressor burning out, and that usually means the whole unit must be replaced.
Dirty Filter
This is one of the simpler problems, and you can correct it yourself. As soon as you notice reduced heat coming from the vents, check the blower filter on the heat pump to see if it’s excessively dirty. A clogged filter will prevent the heat pump from pulling in enough air to heat. We recommend replacing this filter every one to three months.
Defrost Cycle Problems
A heat pump has a defrost cycle to prevent its outdoor refrigerant coils from freezing in winter. It temporarily switches how the heat pump operates to send heat out of the coils. If the defrost cycle malfunctions, it may prevent the heat pump from working in the right direction
If you have any concerns about your heat pump and you’re unsure what to do, you can always rely on our team. We have 24-hour emergency service available.
Contact JN Electrical Temperature Control, Inc and you’ll “Feel the Difference”!