Heat pumps are the unsung hero of home heating and cooling as it pulls double duty to keep you cozy all year round. In the winter, it keeps you cozy and toasty by pulling warmth from the outdoor air and transferring it inside. Come summer, it simply reverses the process to expel hot air from your home. A true temperature taming multitasker!
But when your heat pump decides to go on strike and stops effectively heating or cooling, it’s a real kick in the shins. One minute you’re lounging in perfect indoor comfort, the next you’re piling on layers or cranking up fans. Not exactly the ideal living situation.
Before you get too excited about DIY repairs though, let’s be clear – poking around a heat pump’s system isn’t something to take lightly. Those intricate electrical components and refrigerant lines could really ruin your whole day if mishandled. Sometimes calling in trained professionals is the smartest move to get that system back into tip-top shape safely. But we’ll cover some basic homeowner checks to try first before waving the white flag!
DIY Fixes
Before calling in the pros, there are a few basic troubleshooting steps any homeowner can try to get that heat pump back in working order. We’re talking quick checks and simple DIY fixes – nothing too intense. But fair warning, if you get in over your head, don’t be a hero! Step away from the toolbox and funky wiring before you make things worse.
Check the Thermostat Settings
This one’s a no-brainer first step. First up, confirm the thermostat mode is set correctly for the season – ‘Heat’ in winter, ‘Cool’ in summer. Seems obvious, but we’ve all spaced on that before after daylight savings or a freak cold snap!
Next, make sure the temperature is set higher than the room temp for heating or lower for cooling. For example, if you want an ideal 72°F in winter, the ‘Heat’ setting should be higher than that, say 74°F. If it’s already reading the right temps, try cycling between modes or swapping out any dead batteries.
Check the Power Supply
Alright, I know what you’re thinking – “Duh, of course I checked if it was getting power!” But hear me out. Thoroughly inspect that the heat pump’s circuit breaker hasn’t tripped and needs resetting. Those breakers can be finicky, especially for older systems working overtime.
While you’re at it, locate the system’s power switch (usually a basic toggle near the indoor air handler unit) and ensure it’s firmly in the “On” position. If all looks good there, try turning the whole system off and then back on for a hard reset.
Inspect the Air Filter
This is a biggie that often gets overlooked. A grimy, clogged air filter restricts airflow like crazy, severely hampering your heat pump’s efficiency. Locate it (likely in the indoor air handler or nearby on the wall) and do a visual check – if it’s looking gunked up and nasty, replace it with a fresh one.
Most need swapping every 1-3 months for peak performance, more often if you’ve got kids, pets, or do a lot of cooking that fills the air with grease and dust.
Clear Blockages Around the Outdoor Unit
Speaking of airflow, make sure there’s nothing obstructing or crowding your outdoor compressor/condenser unit either. Rake away any leaves, grass clippings, twigs or other yard debris that’s accumulated around it over time.
And if your heat pump is icing over in winter, carefully pour some lukewarm water on any frozen spots to gently melt away built-up ice and snow. Just don’t go at it with anything too aggressive like a shovel or ice pick that could puncture or damage the unit’s delicate coils and fins.
Check for Frozen Coils
Frosty coils are a common heat pump woe. If you notice heavy ice buildup on the indoor air handler unit itself or those refrigerant lines running between the indoor/outdoor components, cut the system off right away.
Let those coils fully defrost naturally before firing it back up – trying to force hot air through frozen coils is a recipe for cracked components and expensive repairs. Pro tip: you can gently use a soft brush to remove any light, surface frost but avoid picking at it.
Check Ductwork for Leaks or Blockages
While you’re investigating, don’t forget to take a peek at your duct system too. Damaged or disconnected ductwork can seriously disrupt airflow and cause all sorts of heating/cooling headaches.
Do a visual once-over for any obvious holes, cracks, tears or separated sections that need resealing with mastic caulk or aluminum HVAC tape. And confirm all your vents are nice and open, not blocked by furniture, drapery, kids’ toys or other household clutter.
Inspect the Blower Motor
The indoor blower is what actually circulates all that conditioned air through your home’s vents and registers. If it’s on the fritz, you’ll definitely feel it! Check around the blower motor itself (usually located in the air handler) for any built-up fuzz, dust bunnies or debris that could be obstructing its operation.
Most units have a reset button you can try pressing too if the motor just needs a hard reboot. But be careful not to stick any objects through the blades – that’s a one-way ticket to Snap City.
Check the Thermostat’s Calibration
Last but not least, make sure your thermostat is accurately reading the room temperature. Do a quick calibration check by standing next to it with a separate thermometer.
If the readings are off by more than a degree or two, you may need to recalibrate or simply replace that thermostat to get your system heating and cooling properly again. Older thermostats can become “drunk” over time, leading to inaccurate temp readings that throw everything out of whack.
There you have it – some basic DIY fixes to troubleshoot common heat pump woes! But remember, if you’ve tried all these tips and still can’t seem to get that system cooperating, don’t risk making things worse by going rogue. Resist the urge to start taking panels off and poking around at components you’re unfamiliar with. Know when to throw in the towel and call up HVAC professionals instead of creating an even bigger headache.
Professional Fixes
Sometimes even after exhausting all the basic DIY troubleshooting tricks, your heat pump still just isn’t cooperating. When that happens, it’s time to wave the white flag and call in professional reinforcements.
Low Refrigerant Levels
This is one repair that should never be DIY’d – refrigerant is no joke! If your system seems to be running but struggling to actually heat or cool efficiently, with potential ice buildup on the coils, chances are good the refrigerant levels are low or leaking.
Only a licensed pro can safely handle checking and refilling refrigerant using the proper equipment and protective gear. Messing with refrigerant yourself is a dangerous game.
Faulty Reversing Valve
That hardworking reversing valve is what allows your heat pump to, well, reverse between heating and cooling modes as needed. If it breaks down on you, your system may get stuck only blowing hot or cold air no matter the thermostat setting. Or it could just refuse to kick on at all. Definitely a component best left to the professionals to diagnose and repair or replace as required.
Capacitor Failure
Think of capacitors as the spark plugs that give your heat pump’s motors the juice to start up. If one burns out, you may hear humming noises as the system tries fruitlessly to cycle on, or it just won’t turn on at all.
While swapping a capacitor may seem easy, these control hazardous electrical currents – not something for amateurs to fiddle with! Let the techs handle this one safely.
Faulty Defrost Cycle (in heating mode)
In winter, your heat pump’s defrost cycle is what temporarily switches the system into cooling mode just long enough to melt away any ice buildup on the outdoor unit. If this process gets disrupted, that ice will just keep accumulating, severely hampering efficiency.
When you notice excessive ice that just won’t go away no matter what, it likely means the defrost sensor or controls need some professional TLC.
Compressor Issues
The mighty compressor is the heart pumping lifeblood through your heat pump’s entire refrigerant system. So when it starts failing, you’ve got a very sick patient on your hands!
Compressor problems like loud grinding noises, reduced heating/cooling power, or the system just refusing to fire up at all often mean this pricey component needs repair or full replacement. Definitely a job to leave to the trained pros.
Fan Motor Problems
Those indoor and outdoor fan motors are what circulate all the air that allows your heat pump to effectively heat and cool. If they conk out, you’ll either get weak, insufficient airflow or none at all.
While fan motors may look simple, there’s a fair bit of electrical know-how needed to safely diagnose the issue and determine if repair or replacement is required. Don’t risk getting shocked!
Heat Pump Short Cycling
When your heat pump keeps turning on and off in rapid, infinite loops without ever actually reaching the set temperature on the thermostat, you’ve got a short cycling issue.
This inefficient cycling could stem from something as simple as incorrect thermostat settings or more complex problems like refrigerant leaks or a failing compressor. The only way to track down the root cause is by enlisting a pro for a full system diagnostic checkup.
As you can see, many heat pump woes require the skilled eye and tools of a certified HVAC technician to properly diagnose and resolve. While DIY methods can sometimes get you by, at a certain point it’s just safer (and smarter!) to call in professional backup before you risk causing more damage. Those techs have the training to quickly and accurately pinpoint any issues and make the right repairs to get your heating and cooling system back into peak condition.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
A little proactive TLC keeps your heating and cooling running smoothly for years to come!
Annual Professional Inspection
Even if your heat pump seems to be humming along just fine, it’s always wise to get it professionally inspected and serviced at least once a year. During the tune-up, they’ll thoroughly clean every part, check all electrical connections, test operating pressures, and ensure everything is in proper working order. They can also spot potential problems early.
Replace Filters Regularly
Remember that air filters need frequent changing! Clogged, gunked-up filters restrict airflow like crazy, forcing your system to work harder than it should. Most filters should be swapped out every 1-3 months for peak performance. It’s an easy DIY task that takes just a few minutes but makes a huge difference.
Clean Around the Outdoor Unit
Take a few extra minutes to tidy up around your outdoor heat pump unit too. Rake away any leaves, cut grass, or debris that may have accumulated around the equipmen and be extra vigilant about clearing any potential obstructions before winter and summer when the system will really be kicking into overdrive. You want optimal airflow all year round!
Monitor Energy Bills
Here’s a sneaky way to help catch heat pump problems early: keep a close eye on your monthly energy usage and bills. If you notice a sudden, unexplained spike in consumption that can’t be attributed to a real change in your heating or cooling patterns, it could very likely indicate your system is having to work way harder than it should due to an inefficiency or breakdown somewhere. Don’t ignore those utility bill red flags!
An ounce of prevention really does go a long way when it comes to heating and cooling!
Your Home Deserves the Best – Call BelRed for Heat Pump Pros
Let’s face it, as homeowners we can try all the DIY tricks in the book, but sometimes you just need to call in the big guns. While those at-home troubleshooting tips can maybe get you out of a jam temporarily, there’s no true replacement for certified technicians with specialized training and tools.
From routine tune-ups to major repairs, you want professionals who know heat pumps inside and out. That’s where our long-standing experts at BelRed come in.
Don’t resign yourself to another day of home discomfort or skyrocketing energy bills from an inefficient system. Keep your cool and let BelRed’s heat pump gurus work their magic – just pick up the phone and dial (855) 345-6161 to get the ball rolling today!
