So you’re finally home after a walk only to find that your heat pump can’t blow hot air.
Now you’re at home, shivering and cursing whoever it was that invented the heat pump in the first place.
But you haven’t been using your heat pump during spring and summer. You haven’t spilled any fluids on your heat pump. You don’t have pets, so pet dander shouldn’t be in the equation, right?
So why is your heat pump not blowing hot air? Is your body tricking you? Do you need an HVAC technician?
Today, we’ll be going over some of the reasons why your heat pump is not working, what to do when it stops blowing hot air, and how to prevent any issues like this in the foreseeable future.
So grab a favorite quilt, make some hot cocoa, and keep reading!
Heat Pump Not Blowing Hot Air? Here’s Why
We know how frustrating it is to deal with a heating system that doesn’t work. But sometimes, our trusty furnaces and heat pumps let us down.
To solve your heat pump issues, you will need to know why it stopped blowing hot air in the first place.
And that can be caused by any number of reasons.
So we are going to go over some of the most common issues that heat pump owners typically encounter. Let’s get started:
Reason #1: Your Outdoor Unit Can’t “Breathe”
How heat pumps work during colder seasons is they draw in/absorb the heat from the air using their refrigerant, then blow it into your home to warm your space.
During warmer months, it goes into “cooling mode.” It draws in the cold outside air, then blows it inside to cool your space. Then it blows out the warm air outdoors.
But your heat pump won’t be able to do either if that if the outdoor unit is:
- Covered in leaves and sticks
- Obstructed by a fence or a wall
- Covered in dust or mud
So your first move here should be to check if your outdoor unit is covered in dead leaves, grass, or twigs that the plants around your home have shed for the season.
Reason #2: Your Air Filter is Dirty
A dirty air filter is another cause for heat pumps to stop blowing out hot air. This is because the dirt prevents your evaporator coil (the part that heats the air) from getting airflow.
It’s very easy to let your filter get dirty. We don’t usually check that part of our heaters as often as we should.
And yes, even if you don’t have any pets that shed their fur, you can still end up with a clogged air filter.
Humans shed dead skin too, so there is a high chance that some of that dirt resting on your filter comes from you.
You’ll know your issue lies in your clogged air filter because there won’t be much air blowing through your air vents.
Reason #3: Your Heat Pump is Low On Refrigerant Charge
Your heat pump works only if it has enough refrigerant charge. Your pump needs that to absorb heat and blow it in and out of spaces.
During the colder months, like the fall or winter, your heat pump will use its refrigerant to absorb heat from the outdoor air to the inside of your space.
It does the same in warmer months like summer and spring but in reverse. It takes the heat from inside the house and blasts it outside.
However, if your heat pump is low on refrigerant, it can’t transfer enough heat to warm your space. This then leads to your home being colder or warmer than it should be (depending on the season).
Reason #4: The Outside Air is Too Cold
As the air outside grows colder, your heat pump will struggle to pull in warm air. This is why your heat pump feels like it’s blowing cold air.
Don’t worry, this is quite normal. Many heat pumps have the same issue.
Once the temperatures outside reach below 40 degrees, your heat pump’s auxiliary coil will take effect, and your home will start warming up again.
Reason #5: Is Your Body Tricking You?
One other cause is that your body is playing tricks on you.
What do we mean by that?
Well, it could be that your heat pump is working well and pumping out heat, but it is slightly below your body temperature.
This will naturally make it feel like your heat pump is not warming your space when in fact, it is. It’s just not the same as your body temperature.
Now the question is:
Is there anything you can do to get your heat pump to start blowing warm air again? Well, yes, there are!
While you may feel frustrated about your heat pump system not blowing warm air, there are still a few things you can do to get yourself back into the warmth.
So keep scrolling!
What To Do When Your Heat Pump Stops Blowing Hot Air
So your heat pump has stopped working, and you feel like your toes are about to freeze and fall off. We can relate to that.
So we’ll go over some ways you can get your pump back up and running! Ready to get toasty and cozy? Stick around!
Solution #1: Bundle Up
This one doesn’t seem to make much sense because you’re already bundled up trying to stay warm in the first place. But bear with us.
We mentioned above that you may be feeling cold because:
- Your heat pump’s auxiliary coil hasn’t kicked in yet
- The air outside is too cold for your heat pump to pull in enough warmth to heat your space
The best thing you can do here is to wait things out and wrap yourself up in warm clothing and thick blankets while doing so.
Once the temperature outside triggers your heat pump’s auxiliary coil, you’ll start feeling your space warm up again.
So just wait a little more time. You’ll get toasty soon!
Solution #2: Clean Your Air Filter
Because dust and dirt build-up can restrict airflow in your heat pump, it is crucial that you check if your heat pump’s air vents need to be cleaned or replaced.
If it is dirty, then make sure to clean it as soon as possible. Don’t wait for it to get worse!
It is also a great idea to vacuum around your space, especially the area where your heat pump sits. This is to reduce the amount of dust that settles on your filters and prevent a build-up.
Also, make it a habit to regularly check if your heat pump’s air filter is starting to gather dust.
Something as simple as vacuuming the filter every other week is more than enough to prevent dirt and dust-built up.
Solution #3: Clear Your Outside Unit’s Surroundings
Next is clearing out your outside unit’s surroundings. We are approaching the fall season, meaning trees are shedding their flowers and leaves in preparation for the winter.
This can cause a buildup of leaves, twigs, and small branches on your outside heat pump unit.
It’s your job to clear out all these obstructions, so it doesn’t restrict your pump’s airflow.
If you don’t feel confident enough to clean your outside unit, you can always call professional furnace/ heat pump technicians to handle the cleaning.
Solution #4: Deal with Your Refrigerant Charge
Another reason could be that you’ve run out of refrigerant charge, or there’s a leak, and your refrigerant is getting wasted.
You must call a technician to check on your refrigerant charge if this is the case. If you’re low, it might be a sign that you have a leak that needs to be fixed.
Don’t worry, your technician is more than capable of dealing with that issue!
Solution #5: Relocate the Heat Pump
If you find that a fence or wall obstructs your heat pump, it might be time to consider relocating it somewhere more open.
Don’t DIY this. Make sure to call heat pump/AC repair technicians to help you find the best spot to relocate your pump.
Avoiding Future Issues with Your Heat Pump
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to ensure your heat pump is ready to go all year round. Keeping tabs on your air pump is also the best way to prevent any problems that may arise in the future.
Of course, you won’t be able to do this all on your own, and you don’t have to. Professional heat pump technicians can handle the cleaning and maintenance for you.
Cleaning up your air filters, checking your refrigerant charge, or even relocating an entire heat pump unit can be done with the help and support of trained professionals.
Don’t worry about the incoming winter months, BELRED offers furnace, heat pump, and AC repairs to ensure ease and comfort for all their clients. Stay warm, stay safe, and we’ll handle the rest.
Get in touch with our team at (855) 345-6161.
