If you own a heat pump, then the chances are that you may get yourself 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 common heat pump service and installation problems that you may encounter. Read on to find out how you can solve these common problems so that you are more prepared in the future.
It won’t turn on
A common problem not only for heat pumps but for a lot of devices is when they won’t turn on all of a sudden. This problem can be frustrating, so you want to check all the right places to save yourself time from looking into all the wrong things.First, you need to check the thermostat of your heat pump. You need to make sure that you’re putting it on the right setting depending on the season. Also, check if your thermostat is compatible with your heat pump because some aren’t fit for some heat pumps.
After that, you should then check other parts of the heat pump to make sure other things aren’t wrong with it. Maybe the power switch isn’t connected as of the moment, or other things are wrong. By identifying which part of the heat pump has issues, your contractor may be able to find the solution much easier.
It stops producing heat
Based on its name, one of the heat pump’s primary purpose is to provide heat for your home, so what if it stops doing just that? Well, then you need to check a few factors first to determine the problem.Sometimes, our body is tricking us that the heat pump isn’t producing any heat because our body temperature is warmer than the temperature we’ve set for the heat pump. Other than that, you can try checking whether the outside unit of your heat pump is being blocked by something.
Also, you might need to refill the refrigerant of your unit so that it’s at an appropriate level. Blocked air filters could also be the issue as well as a lack of power that your outdoor unit should be receiving. 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 that you set, then there could be many reasons why that’s happening. First, make sure that the thermostat is set correctly as a lot of people have made the mistake of not checking that the right temperature is set.
Other than that, you should also check if there is ice buildup on the outdoor unit. Usually, there’s a defrost cycle but if it’s iced over too much then call a professional to defrost it for you.
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
One other common problem people encounter with their heat pumps is that when it’s supposed to be heating up a room, instead it’s blowing cold air into the room. The first thing you should check is the thermostat.Check if it’s set to the right temperature, check if its batteries are working, make sure the fan isn’t turned on and that the 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 properly. 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 be making quite a noticeable racket. Otherwise, there is probably something wrong with it that you should get checked out.There are some sounds that 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 damages, 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 you might encounter with your heat pump is that the blower may not be working. 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, then turn it off. After which, you should then adjust the limit switch so that 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 then check the manual of your unit for instructions.
If your unit’s blower isn’t moving air but the motor of your unit works fine, then you may need to replace the belt that connects the two. Slip on the new belt on the smaller pulley first and make sure you loosen the mount first then 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 certain cycle of turning on and off to create and maintain the temperature in a room.
If you find that the cycle is shorter than usual, then there are several causes for this. One reason may be that it wasn’t installed the right way, or maybe some component of the heat pump 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 it is also quite annoying having to deal with dripping liquid in your home. Poor maintenance and condition of your coils as well as problems with the drain of your unit could be the reason behind the leak.If this is a problem for you, then what you need to do is 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 damage of the unit.
