Heat pumps are a popular choice among homeowners for their compact design and low operation costs. People use heat pumps to both heat and cool their homes.
Unfortunately, heat pumps can experience issues, affecting the overall livability of your home.
If you’re asking yourself, “Why can’t my heat pump keep up?” you’ve come to the right place for answers.
Here, we discuss what a heat pump is, how it works, and common heat pump problems that may arise, preventing it from achieving your desired temperatures.
What is a Heat Pump and How Does It Work?
A heat pump is a machine that provides residential and commercial properties with warm and cool air.
In the winter, it extracts warm air from the outside and sends it inside your home, keeping everyone warm and comfortable.
Meanwhile, in the summer, it reroutes the warm air from inside your home and sends it outside, keeping everyone cool.
Why Can’t My Heat Pump System Keep Up?
Similar to your air conditioner, your heat pump can be programmed using a thermostat. This device communicates your desired temperature to the heat pump.
Unfortunately, heat pump problems can happen when you least expect them. When it does, it can cause your heat pump unit to struggle to keep up with your demands.
Here’s a list of reasons why your heat pump can’t keep up:
Reason 1: Undersized Heat Pump Unit
There are various sizes of heat pumps, each of which is designed for different applications. The right-sized heat pump can provide you and your family comfort and warmth throughout the cold season.
An undersized heat pump will have to work twice as hard to reach and maintain comfortable temperatures in your home. Since it will require more power to achieve the indoor temperature you want, choosing an undersized heat pump may also cause your energy bills to soar.
To avoid this error, you contact an HVAC technician to conduct a load calculation assessment on your home. This measures the heat gain and loss of your home, which can help you find the proper size unit.
Reason 2: Old Heat Pump Unit
Heat pumps have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years, with proper maintenance and care. Naturally, some of your heat pump’s functions and components will deteriorate with time. It could be another reason why your heat pump isn’t working properly.
If your unit is older than 15 years, it might be time to consider getting a new heat pump. Contact a professional HVAC technician to inspect your unit. They can help you determine if it’s time for a replacement or a simple repair.
Reason 3: Low Power Supply
The average heat pump uses around 545 watts to 7,500 watts of power. When the power supply to the heat pump is disrupted, it can affect the way it transfers cold or hot air to your home.
A blown fuse or bad electrical wiring can cause power supply issues in your heat pump. A tripped circuit breaker could also be what’s causing your heat pump problem.
Get in touch with a professional to find out the best way to solve your issue.
Reason 4: Incorrect Thermostat Settings
In some cases, the issue isn’t directly with your heat pump but with your thermostat or thermostat settings.
Almost all air conditioning systems have a thermostat that allows homeowners to control indoor air quality and temperature.
Heat pumps are no different; they have a thermostat that controls all its functions and operations. When a problem occurs with the thermostat or if it’s set incorrectly, it can cause your heat pump to struggle to heat your home.
To solve this issue, you can try switching out the batteries in your thermostat. If that doesn’t work, open the controller up and see if there is any dirt or debris inside. Wipe it with a clean cloth or soft-bristled brush.
Most homeowners don’t know how to program their thermostats properly. In that case, you can contact an HVAC professional to assist you with programming your thermostat.
Reason 5: Closed Vents
Sometimes the most obvious reason is the hardest to spot. This is why most homeowners forget to check their supply and return vents until they notice their heat pump isn’t blowing hot air as efficiently. It’s a typical “out-of-sight-out-of-mind” issue.
Check the supply and return vents in each room of your home. Make sure all of them are open; otherwise, you might get inconsistent temperatures from one room to the other.
If all the vents are open, but your heat pump still can’t keep up with the demands, you may have a different issue on your hands.
Reason 6: Extremely Cold Weather
Your heat pump might not be able to keep up when outdoor temperatures dip. This is because most heat pumps are designed for mild to moderate weather and rarely extreme cold. If the warmth produced by your heat pump is a few degrees short of your thermostat setting, you might want to blame the outdoor temperature.
Luckily, there’s an easy way to fix this issue.
For your heat pump to generate enough heat for your home, you might want to adjust your thermostat setting a few degrees higher than your desired temperature.
Reason 7: Dirty Air Filter
Air filters are used to catch dirt and other debris before it gets lodged into the components of your heating system. Over time, these air filters accumulate dust and grime, making them less effective at capturing contaminants in the air.
If you haven’t changed or cleaned the air filter in your heat pump, this might be the time to do so.
Reason 8: Low Refrigerant Levels
Heat pumps use refrigerant to reach temperature settings in both heating and cooling modes. The heating and cooling process as well as the type and amount of refrigerant necessary will vary between models.
A properly working heat pump requires an appropriate amount of refrigerant in the outdoor unit. Low refrigerant levels can prevent your heat pump from producing enough heat for your home.
It’s best to leave refrigerant-related issues with the professionals as these liquids can be toxic. The best thing you can do is familiarize yourself with the signs that indicate your heat pump is low on refrigerant.
This includes:
- Leaking
- Outdoor unit icing over
- Inefficient heating
If you notice any of these signs, contact an HVAC professional immediately.
Reason 9: Heat Pump is Covered in Ice
Another reason why your heat pump can’t keep up with cold temperatures is that its outdoor coils are frozen. Low refrigerant could be the cause of this issue. When this happens, your heat pump has no choice but to go into its cooling mode. This could be why your heat pump is producing cold air.
You might need to conduct a defrost cycle if your heat pump isn’t automatically defrosting. Check your user’s handbook for details on how to do this.
Refrain from manually removing any leftover ice that isn’t melted away during the defrost cycle. Improper ice removal can potentially damage your heat pump. Contact a professional for help.
Reason 10: Broken Reversing Valve
The reversing valve is responsible for redirecting the airflow inside the heat pump. In other words, it’s what draws out the cold air in your home and brings in the warm air from outside—and vice versa.
When the reversing valve stops working properly or if one of its components breaks, your heat pump can get stuck in either its heating or cooling mode.
To prevent further damage to the reversing valve, it’s always best to contact a professional to get the valve unstuck. Get in touch with BelRed today to get professional assistance from our trained technicians.
Is It Time for Heat Pump Repair or Replacement?
Deciding on whether to get professional heat pump repair or replacement can be tough. But just because your heat pump is facing issues, it doesn’t mean it’s time to replace it.
Although heat pumps have relatively cheaper operational costs, a new unit can be incredibly expensive to install. Before deciding on a single solution, it’s best to talk to a professional, so that they may advise you on the best course of action.
Find Reliable HVAC Solutions with BelRed
Here at BelRed, the safety and comfort of our customers come first. We know how important it is to have a functioning HVAC system at home. So, if you’re facing heat pump problems at home, we would be more than happy to assist you.
Our skilled and professional HVAC technicians can help you solve any heating and cooling system issue.
We have been in this industry for nearly 40 years. Our services have helped hundreds of homeowners in Mukilteo, WA, and we’re confident that we can help you too.
Reach out to us for heat pump repair or furnace maintenance services today!
Contact us at (855) 345-6161
We offer service calls on weekends and weekdays. Please contact our office to book an appointment or get a free estimate.
