8 Common Heat Pumps Problems You Might Encounter and How to Solve It

If you own a heat pump, you may get into a pickle one of these days. It's a machine like any other, and it's got its faults. However, heat pumps get into more common problems that you can quickly solve.

Below, you will find some standard heat pump service and installation problems that you may encounter. Read on to find out how to solve these common problems to be more prepared in the future.

It won't turn on

A common problem for heat pumps and many devices is when they suddenly won't turn on. This problem can be frustrating, so you want to check all the right places to save time from looking into all the wrong things.

First, you need to check the thermostat of your heat pump. Depending on the season, you must ensure you're putting it in the right setting. Also, check if your thermostat is compatible with your heat pump because some aren't fit for some heat pumps.

After that, you should check other parts of the heat pump to ensure everything is okay with it. The power switch isn't connected, or other things are bad. By identifying which part of the heat pump has issues, your contractor can find the solution much more quickly.

It stops producing heat.

Based on its name, one of the heat pump's primary purposes is to provide heat for your home, so what if it stops doing just that? You need to check a few factors first to determine the problem.

Sometimes, our body is tricking us into thinking that the heat pump isn't producing any heat because our body temperature is warmer than the temperature set for the heat pump. Other than that, you can check whether the outside unit of your heat pump is being blocked by something.

Also, you should refill your unit's refrigerant so that it's at an appropriate level. Blocked air filters and a lack of power that your outdoor unit should be receiving could also be the issue. Check all these to find out which one you're dealing with.
It does not generate sufficient heat.

If your heat pump is producing heat but not enough heat based on the temperature you set, then there could be many reasons why that's happening. First, ensure the thermostat is set correctly, as many people have mistakenly not checked that the correct temperature is set.

Other than that, you should also check for ice buildup on the outdoor unit. Usually, there's a defrost cycle, but if it's iced over too much, call a professional to defrost it.

If your refrigerant is leaking, then that can also cause it to provide an insufficient level of heat. Once you notice the source of the leak, then call a professional who helped you when installing heat pumps in your home so they're familiar with your unit.

It blows cold air in "heat" mode.

Another common problem people encounter with their heat pumps is that when they're supposed to be heating up a room, they're blowing cold air into it. The first thing you should check is the thermostat.

Check if it's set to the right temperature and if its batteries are working, and ensure the Fan isn't turned on and that the fan temperature around your thermostat is close to where the heat pump is.

Your electrical panel can affect it, too, especially when it has a tripped breaker. Aside from that, you should also check if the ducts are working correctly. Otherwise, you should get these repaired as soon as you can to avoid further disrepair.

It makes odd noises.

Although your heat pump doesn't have to be the most serene item in your home, it shouldn't make quite a noticeable racket. Otherwise, something probably needs to be fixed with it that you should get checked out.

Some sounds are typical of the heat pump, such as the sound of it starting up and turning down. If you hear a swoosh sound, then it's most likely in defrosting mode. However, if your heat pump is making a clanking sound like metal on metal clashing, then you need to turn it off.

Chances are something got into the unit, hitting the fans. To avoid further damage, turn off the unit and check what got into the fans and what hit it. If you don't, then you might cause a leak or break your Fan.

Its blower doesn't work.

Another problem with your heat pump is that the blower may not work. First, you need to check on the limit switch of your pump. This will be located below the part of the pump that sends air to the ducts.

If the Fan is turned on, turn it off afterward; you should adjust the limit switch so it doesn't turn off the heat pump. It's best to get a professional to do this for you, but if you want to do it yourself, check your unit's manual for instructions.

If your unit's blower isn't moving air, but your unit's motor works fine, you may need to replace the belt connecting the two. Slip on the new belt on the smaller pulley first, loosen the mount first, and tighten it again.
It cycles incorrectly

One of the more common problems you might encounter with your heat pump is that it tends to have shorter cycles. Usually, your heat pump goes through a particular cycle of turning on and off to create and maintain the temperature in a room.

If the cycle is shorter than usual, there are several causes. One reason may be that it wasn't installed correctly or some heat pump component isn't working as it should.

Contact a professional for help immediately so you can have an accurate report on what is wrong with your unit so you can get it fixed as soon as possible.

It is leaking liquid.

Having a leaky heat pump isn't only a hassle but also quite annoying, dealing with dripping liquid in your home. Poor maintenance and condition of your coils, as well as problems with your unit's drain, could be the reason behind the leak.

If this is a problem for you, then you need to make sure that you get annual check-ups of your unit. By keeping up-to-date maintenance of your heat pumps, you ensure that you avoid leaks before they happen.

Otherwise, you should seek professionals to repair the leak so that you don't further the unit's damage.

Wrap up

With these solutions provided above on more common heat pump problems, you should be able to keep up with the proper maintenance of your unit. Otherwise, you'll know what to do should you encounter any of these problems.