Are you having problems with your heat pump not heating?
As experts in heat pump diagnostics and repairs in Albany, New York, and the surrounding areas, Grasshopper Heating & Cooling can always fix your HVAC system. Keep reading to discover the most common reasons your device isn’t producing quite enough heat for your liking and what you should do.
The Eight Most Common Causes of a Heat Pump Not Heating or Emitting Hot Air
Copper tubing makes heat pumps efficient, but there are many other parts that can go wrong. Whether your pump is blowing cool breezes in winter or simply failing to keep your home warm, a professional HVAC technician will diagnose the problem correctly.
Typically, heating devices suffer from one of the following eight issues.
1. Your Thermostat May Have Problems
An apparent issue with heat pump systems can come from a faulty thermostat. Do you have incorrect thermostat settings or other issues? Try the following:
- Check to confirm you set your thermostat to the heating mode or constant fan.
- Replace the batteries in your thermostat to see if that fixes the issue.
- Determine the age of your thermostat (get a new one if it’s more than 10 years old).
- Clean your device to see if it has a dirty sensor.
- Clear furniture and curtains away from your thermostat. Also, block sunlight that could cause your thermostat to misread a temperature setting by a few degrees.
If none of these work, you could have a technician double-check for a malfunctioning thermostat at the next service.
2. Your Unit May Have a Clogged Air Filter
If you have problems with your heat pump not heating, it could have a dirty air filter. Do you remember the last time you changed it? You should change the filter once a month.
If you replace your air filter and it doesn’t solve the issue, you likely have a more complicated problem than reduced airflow.
3. Your Heat Pump Could Have Deficient Refrigerant Levels
Like an air conditioner, your heat pump uses refrigerant to transfer heat to and from cold air or warm air. If your unit has low refrigerant levels, the heat pump can’t reach your desired temperature. Refrigerant issues usually result in lukewarm air.
Be careful; only a qualified professional should address leaking refrigerant. It’s a toxic substance that requires special training to handle safely.
4. Do You Have a Blocked Outdoor Unit?
Is your heat pump not heating? Check whether you have debris or vegetation blocking your outdoor unit.
Your heat pump has both an indoor unit and an outside unit. The portion outside your home remains the most vulnerable to blockages.
5. Consider Whether You Have Power Problems
If your heat pump isn’t working at all, you could have any number of electrical issues. Do you experience a blown fuse in your electrical panel or circuit breaker every time you flip a specific light switch? Also, check your indoor unit power switch to see if you flipped it off.
Is your heat pump running but not blowing the air through your home? The power problem may reside with your indoor air handler unit.
6. A Faulty Reversing Valve Could Cause the Issue
If your heat pump has a bad reversing valve, it may only emit cool or cold air. The reversing valve determines whether your heat pump cools or heats, as it directs the flow of refrigerant.
With a broken reversing valve, the heat pump may become stuck in cooling mode.
7. Your Heat Pump Has a Frozen Outdoor Unit Coil
Your heat pump can experience ice buildup and frozen coils during winter and summer. However, it has a greater vulnerability to a frozen outdoor coil in the winter because of the cold weather.
Freezing occurs most often because of low refrigerant. Dirt buildup on the coils or air filter or other debris blocking the unit can also cause problems (your device can’t properly regulate the temperature through evaporation).
8. You May Have an Undersized Heat Pump
You should carefully select the best-sized heat pump for your home. If you buy a device too small for your home, it won’t provide the level of heating you need.
If you feel the heat pump blowing hot air but your home never reaches a comfortable temperature, consider an upgrade.
Schedule Reliable Heat Pump Repairs Today
If you’re struggling with your heat pump not heating, contact Grasshopper Heating & Cooling. We’ll determine why you feel cool air when you shouldn’t and offer a personalized and efficient solution.
Call 518-545-3271 to schedule an appointment today!
