How to Troubleshoot Your Heat Pump
Homes with comfortable space offer healthier living and a conducive working environment, especially for remote workers. Heat pumps are used to warm your home during the chilling cold winters and cool it during summers.
A heat pump works like a standard air conditioner during summers by venting heated air from interiors to outside. On the other hand, the unit extracts heat from the outside during cold seasons, releasing the warmth inside. However, in icy areas, an additional auxiliary electric heater is needed to supplement the heating.
Why Heat Pumps?
Unlike other heating alternatives, heat pumps don’t create heat; instead, they move heat from one place to another. Therefore, they consume less power ( the small amount needed to run the compressor), making them energy-efficient. Energy efficiency also means low running costs.
A heat pump offers precise comfort control. With the help of a thermostat, once you set the required room temperature, the unit maintains that without heating or cooling further. Additionally, heat pumps offer superior convenience as you can easily pre-program to turn it ON and OFF using a 24-hour or 7-days timer according to your schedule.
Your family health matters. Heat pumps come with advanced air filters that get rid of nasty allergens off the air before getting pumped into your interiors. Excess humidity in your household is also unhealthy, and heat pumps are proficient in humidity control.
With a variety of heat pumps in the market, you choose that smartly blends with the décor of your insides. Heat pumps are also quiet, safe, and eco-friendly.
Common Heat Pump Hitches and How to Troubleshoot
#1 Heat Pump not Running
The hitch is most likely being caused by thermostat issues or the unit not receiving power.
First, make sure to set the thermostat correctly, and if you’ve replaced it recently, the wiring may be improperly connected. It’s also important to get the right thermostat replacer from trusted dealers because a thermostat other than a heat pump’s type won’t work.
Secondly, be sure the component has a power supply by checking if the circuit breakers have tripped. In that case, turn on by flipping it on, and if it trips again, you may want to call an electrician to check if there’s a short-circuit in the electricity system.
If your heat pump has a supplement heating element, circuit breaker or fuses protecting the element may have slipped or blown. Check inside the hair handler and reset them. If you don’t have the necessary knowledge of working with the heat pump cabinet, it may be risky and calling an HVAC technician is the best recommendation.
#2 My Heat Pump isn’t Heating and Cooling Right
Usually, you don’t expect heat pumps to produce hot air like oil or gas furnaces. Nevertheless, if the unit is producing much cooler or hotter air than what you are used to, do the following:
Note: heat pumps sometimes switch to defrost mode to prevent icing and, in such cases, expect temporary cold air output.
- Ensure the thermostat settings are right. If it is set correctly and you’re still feeling cold, you can raise the temperatures to say by 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Check that the heating register is open, and the filters are not dirty. Replace dirty filters.
- If your heat system has auxiliary heating elements, be sure they’re working. Consider also cleaning coils in the condensing component located outside.
If these steps proof revolting, get a professional HVAC to repair the system.
#3 Blower does not Work
This scenario can be caused by the limit switch below the plenum or the thermostat fixed on the wall. The switch’s purpose is to turn off the pump when the air in the plenum becomes too hot.
Confirm the fan switch is on and if so, switch it OFF or to Auto. If it was already Auto or OFF, then the switch requires adjustments.
If you know how to go about the adjustment, follow the manufacturer’s manual to reset the pointers. If not, you may want to call a heat pump specialist to fix this problem to avoid worsening the situation or damaging it.
#4 Heat Pump Producing Noise
You don’t want to hear those unpleasant noises coming from the pump. If this is your situation, shut the unit and schedule a repair technician visit. Before that, check the following:
- Tighten the cover panels to minimize rattling noise. Similarly, noise may emanate from ductwork or loosened parts inside the air handler.
- A pinging or popping sound may be coming from a loose flap in the ductwork. Track the flap and make a small dent on the sheet preventing the sheet from moving during thermal expansion.
Does Your Heat Pump Need Repair or Maintenance?
Coastal Heat Pumps is here to help. We’re not comfortable until you’re. Our experienced and certified heat pump specialists provide state-of-the-art maintenance and repairs. Book a repair or maintenance and let us restore your home’s comfort.