A heat pump can be an extremely efficient and cost-effective way to heat your house, especially in places like Georgia that rarely experience extreme cold. The primary concern is that heat pumps can be prone to issues during the winter due to the amount of work they do throughout the year and because of the process that they use to heat a house. In this article, we’ll look at the most common issues you might run into and how to troubleshoot them to determine if the problem is something you can fix on your own.
Winter Heat Pump Issues You May Encounter
The biggest problem you can encounter is your heat pump suddenly not turning on when it should. Other problems to watch out for include your heat pump system not keeping your house sufficiently warm, blowing cold air or failing to defrost when ice starts building up on the outdoor unit.
Heat Pump Isn’t Turning On
If your heat pump isn’t turning on, you should first check your thermostat to ensure that the screen is still on and that it’s set to heating mode. You also want to make sure that the temperature is set lower than what the thermostat reads.
If everything seems okay with the thermostat, you then want to check your electrical panel and make sure that the circuit breaker for your HVAC system isn’t tripped. The heat pump should come on almost immediately if the breaker tripped and you reset it. If the breaker isn’t tripped or it trips again once the heat pump comes on, you’ll need to call an HVAC company for an inspection and diagnostic service.
Insufficient Heating
Insufficient heating can be a sign of several different issues, such as the system being low on refrigerant, a dirty or clogged coil or a malfunctioning blower. It can also indicate that the air filter is clogged and restricting the airflow. Replacing the air filter at least every 90 days is important for avoiding airflow issues and ensuring your heat pump system functions effectively. If the filter is dark or discolored, you should shut the system off and then replace the filter to see if it then starts heating effectively. If the filter looks fairly clean or replacing it doesn’t solve the problem, you’ll need to have a professional diagnose what the problem is.
Cold Air Coming From Vents
Most heat pump systems can only raise the temperature of the incoming air by 10 to 30 degrees or so, and the temperature rise at any given time depends on how cold it is outside. In colder weather, it’s normal for the air coming out of your vents to feel slightly cool due to it not being as warm as your body temperature. If your heat pump is putting out overly cold air or the air feels cooler than usual when it isn’t overly cold outside, it indicates that the system isn’t heating effectively. This can happen for all of the reasons that we mentioned in the previous section, meaning the main thing you can do is try replacing the air filter.
Ice Buildup on the Outdoor Unit
Anytime the temperature gets down to around 40 degrees, a heat pump will need to occasionally switch to defrost mode to thaw out the condenser coil and melt any ice. When running in defrost mode, a heat pump basically works just like it does in cooling mode by pumping cold refrigerant through the condenser coil. The only difference is that the blower inside the house shuts off during the defrost cycle, which is important as otherwise the system would quickly start cooling the house.
Even in extremely cold temperatures, the defrost cycle should only take about 15 minutes. If you notice that your heat pump isn’t heating for long periods, you should go outside and check for ice buildup on the unit. Ice buildup is a sign that either the defrost mode isn’t turning on or that the unit can’t defrost, both of which are something you’ll need a technician to fix. One possibility is that the reversing valve is stuck and preventing the heat pump from switching to defrost mode. A dirty coil or insufficient refrigerant charge can make it so that the ice doesn’t melt when the system is in defrost mode.
Georgia’s Heat Pump Experts
Since 1959, Chancey Heating & Cooling has been the trusted name for heating and cooling in Douglas, GA. We specialize in servicing, repairing and installing heat pump systems and are always here to help if any issues arise over the winter. We’re also the area’s top choice for ductless mini-split services. If you find yourself facing any problems with your heating this winter, give us a call for prompt, dependable service.
