So you finally took the plunge and upgraded the HVAC in your Belleview home to a heat pump — congratulations! However, now your heat pump is acting up, and you are not familiar with how it works. The good news is that heat pump issues are similar to issues with a traditional central split HVAC system and have similar fixes. With that in mind, the team at Fast Air Heating & Cooling is here with this quick guide on how to fix a heat pump.
Contact us today for top-notch heat pump repair in Belleview, FL!
Heat Pump Parts and Operation
It is easier to diagnose heat pump issues when you know the basics about their parts and how they work. Heat pumps use refrigerant fluids to extract heat from outdoor sources for your home. The key feature of heat pumps is they don’t create heat like a traditional furnace does but instead move heat from one place to another. This makes them very efficient in Belleview and other places in Florida where HVAC systems need to run year-round.
Heat pumps have five main parts.
Coils
The coils are where the main heat extraction takes place and consist of a series of coiled tubes that move cool or hot refrigerant fluid. Heat pumps have two types of coils: evaporator and condenser coils.
Compressors
The compressor is the unit that pressurizes coolant fluid so it can move heat around the system. Compressors are usually one of the more expensive components to replace.
Fans
The fan and its motor control the flow of hot or cold air and direct it through the vents in your home. Most heat pumps have two fans: one inside and one outside.
Refrigerant
Like air conditioners, heat pumps use coolant fluid to extract heat from air and ground sources and expel heat from the house.
Reversing Valves
Lastly, the reversing valve lets the heat pump reverse the direction of heat flow so it can both heat and cool your home.
Heat Pump Won’t Turn On
The most obvious issue is when your system won’t turn on at all. Typical culprits of this behavior include:
- Thermostat problems. Thermostats sense ambient temperatures and tell the system when to turn on. If the sensor is broken or interfered with, the heat pump might not turn on when it’s supposed to. Alternatively, electrical or wiring issues might interfere with the thermostat communicating with the unit.
- Circuit breaker. Sometimes, the problem is with your circuit breaker. Check your electrical box to make sure the heat pump breaker is not flipped. If the circuit breaker keeps tripping when the heat pump kicks on, you may need to replace the circuit.
- Faulty capacitor. Most heat pumps have an electrical capacitor that controls the motor. So, a broken capacitor means the heat pump motor won’t turn on. You can identify a broken capacitor if you hear a quiet “clicking” noise when you turn on the power.
- Reversing valve. Heat pumps have a reversing valve that lets them heat or cool by switching settings. If the reversing valve breaks, the heat pump might not be able to cool, heat, or both.
Heat Pump Runs Constantly
Heat pumps are supposed to cycle a few times every hour, just like traditional HVAC, so constant running is a sign something is wrong. Tips on how to fix a heat pump that is constantly running include:
- Thermostat calibration. If your thermostat is not reading temperatures correctly, it may never tell the system to turn off because it thinks it hasn’t reached the desired setting. Again, an electrical or wiring problem can also interfere with the thermostat’s control over the system.
- Damaged compressor. Heat pump compressors control refrigerant flow, so a damaged compressor can get your system stuck in a perpetual heating or cooling cycle. Properly working compressors usually make a quiet ‘whirring’ sound, and broken compressors might make a clicking or grinding sound.
- Low or high temperatures. Heat pumps have a more gradual heating/cooling curve than traditional HVAC, so they might continuously run due to abnormally high or low temperatures.
Poor Heat Pump Performance
Modern heat pumps are advanced and capable of sufficient temperature regulation in most types of homes. If the heat pump’s performance is lower than average, there are a few possible causes:
- Dirty filters. Heat pumps need sufficient airflow to do their jobs effectively, so clogged filters reduce performance. They also cause unnecessary strain, which increases the chance of system breakdowns.
- Blocked air unit. The heat pump’s outside unit draws in air from outside your home. Obstructions can cover the outdoor unit’s intake vents, and the system won’t have sufficient air. Vegetation and grass clippings from mowing are two extremely common causes of unit blockages.
- Low refrigerant. Low coolant levels can also explain poor heat pump performance. Heat pumps have a closed loop for coolant fluids, so low levels mean there is a leak somewhere, and you’ll need to call a professional for a refrigerant recharge.
- Damaged ducts. Holes in your ducts can make your heat pump up to 20% less efficient and create pockets of heating and cooling. Duct damage is most common near fastened joints or weld points.
- Frozen coils. Dirty coils can also freeze over and affect performance. If your coils keep freezing over even when clean, contact a professional for defrost cycle troubleshooting.
Heat Pump Making Noises
Heat pumps have several parts that might start making strange noises when they malfunction. Sounds to look out for include:
- Clicking. Clicking noises are usually due to a broken compressor screw or a faulty capacitor. Heat pumps might click a bit when turning on, but it should stop after a few seconds.
- Squealing or grinding. Squealing and grinding are signs that two components are incorrectly scraping against one another. For example, motor bearings can cause a grinding sound if they need lubrication.
- Pinging or popping. If you have metal ductwork, pinging and popping sounds can happen when loose panels expand and contract from temperature changes.
- Rattling. A rattling sound usually means that some screw or component is loose. For instance, fan screws can start to rattle as they come loose, and the fan mount itself can start vibrating if enough screws come loose.
When Do I Need a Professional for Heat Pump Repairs in Belleview, FL?
Generally, you can handle any heat pump repair job that doesn’t require extensive mechanical or electrical work on your own. This can include simple preventative maintenance tasks, like changing air filter replacement, drainage cleaning, coil cleaning, and visually inspecting ductwork.
However, you should leave more complex repairs to the professionals. The reasons why are twofold:
- Trying to make mechanical or electrical connection repairs without the right knowledge or tools is dangerous. Heat pumps run at 240 volts and between 30 and 50 amps of current, so improper electrical repairs can cause serious injury or pose a fire hazard.
- Amateur repairs are likely to fail or exacerbate the problem. For example, if you incorrectly try to fix your heat pump compressor and break it, you’ll have to spend more time and money to buy and install a new one. You can rely on a professional HVAC technician to do the job right the first time. HVAC professionals also tend to have warranties that cover labor or installation defects.
Trusted HVAC Repairs in Belleview
If you need more guidance on how to fix a heat pump in Belleview, FL, or would like to schedule heat pump repair or heat pump installation services, contact Fast Air Heating & Cooling online or call today!