A heat pump can be an energy-efficient way for your family to have their comfort needs met all year long. These dual-purpose systems are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners throughout the nation. If you currently have a heat pump, then you’ll want to pay attention to the common indicators that will let you know it’s time to call for professional repair service.
1. Inconsistent Heating or Cooling
One of the biggest problems you’ll face with your heat pump is inconsistent heating or cooling. This problem may come on over time or suddenly. In the majority of cases, the reason your heat pump isn’t operating effectively is because it has a low refrigerant level. When refrigerant leaks out through small holes over time, it will start to be less effective at producing hot or cold air. If a large leak develops, your system can lose refrigerant very quickly and stop producing treated air completely.
2. Unusual Noises
When your heat pump starts to make a strange noise, it’s a cause for concern. Different types of noises can indicate various problems with your system. For example, a rattle can be attributed to a loose mechanical component inside your system. A grinding noise is often due to worn-out ball bearings in your blower motor.
3. No Thermostat Screen
When your thermostat is not working appropriately, your heat pump isn’t going to be able to run. If there is no display screen on your thermostat, there could be a number of different problems. The wiring to your thermostat may be loose, your thermostat may have dead batteries, or your thermostat may just be faulty and need to be replaced.
4. Odd Odor
One problem with your heat pump that you certainly don’t want to ignore is an odd smell. If you smell a musty odor, it likely indicates there’s going to be mold or mildew growth on your evaporator coil. If you smell burning wires, it’s highly likely that you have an electrical issue that needs to be addressed by a licensed professional.
5. Not Starting
For your heat pump to work properly, its compressor needs to be running to move refrigerant throughout your system. If your thermostat seems to be working fine but your heat pump won’t turn on, you’ll want to listen for a distinctive clicking noise. This noise will indicate that the starter capacitor is faulty. It is a component that is responsible for sending a jolt of energy to the compressor unit to start.
6. Won’t Switch to Opposite Mode
All heat pumps will have a cooling mode and a heating mode. Since these systems use refrigerant to absorb heat and transport it to another location, each system has a reversing valve. When you switch from heating mode to cooling mode, the reversing valve will switch the flow of refrigerant to ensure it’s absorbing heat from the inside now instead of outside. If your reversing valve fails, your system won’t switch out of its current mode.
7. Poor Airflow
One particularly frustrating issue you may deal with is poor airflow coming out of your vents or mini-split units. This restricted airflow could be due to numerous issues. These include debris blocking your outside unit, a dirty air filter, dirty coils, or a malfunctioning blower motor. It’s best to have an HVAC technician assess the issue further to get to the root cause of it.
8. Higher Than Normal Energy Bills
One really annoying issue you may experience is that your energy bills are much higher than they usually are. This is typically an indication that your heat pump is working much harder than usual. There are many different reasons this could happen, including filter issues, thermostat problems, and refrigerant issues.
9. Frequent Cycling
When your heat pump is doing its job efficiently, it should only cycle a couple times per hour maximum. If you notice that your system is running more frequently, it should raise some concerns. Your heat pump may need to be cleaned. It may have thermostat issues. Or, something else may be to blame.
Reliable Heat Pump Service
AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning offers reliable heat pump service to Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania and the surrounding communities. We can also assist with all your heating, water heater, indoor air quality, cooling, boiler, and home generator needs. Ask us about our annual tune-ups too! Call us today to schedule a service appointment with one of our expert HVAC technicians.
