Are you wondering about the best ways to troubleshoot your heat pump? While heat pumps are very efficient, they may experience some issues with time and usage. If that happens, you should be able to recognize what is happening and figure out what is the best course of action.
Some issues can be more severe than others. For example, if you experience problems with your heat pump and cannot see what is causing the problem with your eyes, remember that it is always better to get professional help here https://hurlimanheating.com
Common heat pump issues
When troubleshooting a heat pump, it is always better to look for the most common issues first, and if that doesn’t help, it is better to call for professional help. But in general, when there is a problem with the heat pump, the usual thing may cause it.
Here are some of the most common heat pump issues:
1. Heat pump blows cold air when it should provide heat
If you set your heat pump to provide hot air, and instead, only cold air comes out, you could try to resolve the issue by checking a few simple things first:
- Check the system settings
- Check the thermostat calibration
- Clogged or dirty air filters
- Low refrigerant level
- Leaking ducts
- Blocked outside unit
More often than you think, the problem is caused by the wrong thermostat settings, usually established by mistake. For example, it can happen that the thermostat was set for cooling by mistake, or if you have a fan running, the system will not actively heat the house.
In this case, you can just reset the thermostat and change the fan settings. Once you change the settings, if the problem remains, check for an incorrectly calibrated thermostat. A wrong calibration makes the thermostat misread the temperature.
In some cases, you can figure out how to do the calibration yourself through the manual, or if you do not manage, the best is to call a professional.
But the thermostat is not the only thing causing a problem. If you have dirty filters, they could block airflow. If there is no airflow, there is no heating. So the solution is to change the air filters.
A low refrigerant level prevents the heat pump from transferring heat from the outside to the inside of the house, while blocks that prevent the unit from pulling air from the outside are another reason for the system not heating.
On the outside unit, the blocks could be dirt and debris stacking up. However, a simple cleaning can solve the problem once more. When the heat pump fails to generate heat, duct leaks are a regular problem, resulting in a high energy cost.
2. Heat pump not cooling
If your heat pump is not cooling, the reasons are to be found in the following things:
- Thermostat
- Problems with the reversing valve
- Low refrigerant
- Clogged air filters
- Blocked outside unit
- Dirty coils
- Too small heat pump
If you spot that your heat pump works appropriately when heating but is not cooling, the problem can be related to the reversive valve. If this is the case, the valve should be replaced or changed by a qualified technician.
If the coil is dirty, the heat pump cannot transfer the heat, and thus no cold air will come out. So the solution is to check the coil, and if it is dirty, it has to be cleaned. In case you see ice on the coil, you should let it melt on its own.
Ultimately if you have a small heat pump unit, even if everything is in order, it will not manage to cool the house; the solution would be to get a properly sized unit.
3. Heat pump running constantly
If the weather is very hot or cold, you can expect the heat pump to run for a long time. But if the weather is not that extreme and the heat pump is constantly running, then there is a problem with the system.
The things that can make the heat pump constantly running are:
- Thermostat settings problems
- Lack of system tune-up
- Clogged air filters
- Compressor problems
- Low refrigerant levels
- Issues with the reverse valve
Regular tune-ups of the system will bring to light all the issues that are not visible or can bring about more severe problems and even breakdowns. Furthermore, cleaning filters, coils, and exterior units on a regular basis might help prevent other problems.
4. Frozen outside unit
While it is typical for the outside unit to develop a slight frost, if you spot a coating of ice, you can suspect there is a problem to be resolved. The ice blocks airflow and makes the system less effective. What can bring ice to build on the outside unite is:
- Low refrigerant levels
- Water on the external unit
- Problems with the fan motor
- Issues with the defrost timer
When the refrigerant is low, the unit has to work harder, and it will not manage to produce heat to melt the ice building. In addition, water coming from melting snow can get into the coil and freeze.
Although heat pumps have a defrost system, they might not be sufficient to prevent ice from forming. One remedy can be finding where the water is coming from and repairing the leaks.
A defective fan motor will prevent airflow and cause the coil to freeze, and if this is the problem, you need to get the assistance of a professional.
The defrost timer is essential in a heat pump to prevent ice building, and when it malfunctions, the unit might not defrost and will freeze.
Conclusion
Troubleshooting a heat pump is not very difficult if you know where to look. However, some of the issues can be resolved only by a professional technician. Regular cleaning and even tune-ups can be very effective in maintaining the heat pump in good shape, but it might not be enough.
If you are not sure if your heat pump is working well, do not hesitate to contact us.
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