Before Calling a Professional, Troubleshoot Your Heat Pump Problem

If you’re using a heat pump to heat your home this winter, it wouldn’t hurt to know some basics about heat pump operation. That way if something goes haywire, and you’re facing the prospects of a cold house, you’ll be better equipped to diagnose the problem. You might even be able to fix it before calling in the HVAC cavalry.

The most important thing to know is that an electric air-source heat pump (the most common type in residential use) is not a furnace. The technology couldn’t be further from that used in combustion furnaces. Explained in excessively simple terms, a heat pump uses refrigeration technology to provide heating in the winter, cooling in the summer.

It’s similar to how air conditioners work, using a chemical solution called refrigerant or coolant to extract heat energy from the inside air and expel it to the outside. The heat pump differs from the AC in that it reverses the process for heating. It transfers heat energy from outside to inside, using electricity to accomplish these tasks. No fuel is burned directly in the process.

Of course, heat pump technology is a lot more complicated than that, requiring evaporator and condensing coils, a blower fan, a compressor, reversing valve and more.

Common Heat Pump Problems

Following are some of the more common issues that can arise with heat pump operation. Please avoid taking any corrective action on your own unless it’s something relatively simple (or you’re a credentialed heat pump repair technician).

Icing. If you spot frost on the outside of your home’s electric heat pump, this isn’t necessarily anything to be alarmed about. The ice forms as a consequence of moisture in the outside air freezing on the coil of the heat pump, which can be extremely cold. A heat pump that’s working correctly will shift to a defrost cycle periodically to melt the ice. If the ice does not melt, or actually gets worse, the mechanism that operates the heat pump’s defrost cycle may be defective. A professional heat pump technician should address this issue.

The dang thing won’t turn on. This is a potentially simple fix. First thing, investigate whether the heat pump is turned on and receiving power. Obviously, if the power has gone out in your home, the heat pump won’t work. Make sure the thermostat is set to the right mode, either heating or cooling, and that the temperature setting is above (for heating) or below (for cooling) the temperature in the house. Otherwise, it’s not supposed to kick on. The problem also could be a circuit breaker that has tripped. Check the circuit box for your home, and if the switch for the heat pump circuit isn’t positioned like the others, flick it off and then all the way on. That should correct the situation, though if this happens again and again, call in a professional electrician.

The heat pump is banging, clanging, buzzing or making any other odd or loud noises. It’s a no-brainer whenever any mechanical contraption makes noises that are different from regular operation, either in the type of noise or its volume. Turn off the heat pump as soon as you notice these unusual sounds, to avoid compounding the problem. One common issue that will create abnormal noise is fan operation that’s malfunctioning.

Other heat pump issues may be the result of a clogged air filter, blocked vents or registers, dirty heat-exchange coils, refrigerant leak, malfunctioning components (such as the compressor, capacitor, air handler or reversing valve), poor electrical connections, or a heat pump that’s been incorrectly sized for your home. In the latter instance, problems may arise from a heat pump that’s either undersized or oversized.

Avoid Problems by Getting Pro Maintenance

The best way to avoid heat pump issues that threaten home comfort and energy efficiency is to schedule professional maintenance twice a year, ideally, once before the heating season and another before the cooling season. Your trusted technician will run down a maintenance checklist, cleaning and adjusting components. They’ll be looking for anything that’s out of place, maladjusted or broken, with an eye toward spotting small problems that may develop into bigger problems. The technician also should check your air delivery system to make sure conditioned air is getting its destination.

Join a maintenance club at your favored HVAC contractor, which among other things will provide discounts on preventative maintenance and a twice-year reminder that it’s time for the maintenance visit. Also make sure that you perform simple maintenance tasks at home, including inspecting the air filter monthly, replacing it when it’s dirty, and ensuring that vents and registers aren’t blocked by carpets, curtains, furniture and what have you.