Heat pumps are excellent heating and cooling solutions for California homes. They’re designed to transfer heat from outside into your home during the cooler months and then reverse the process when it’s hot outside. When properly operated and maintained, heat pumps work well in mild climates, delivering the perfect temperature to any room.
HVAC technicians from Monarch Home Services are available to help you with any heat pump problems you’re experiencing. We’re proud to offer expert heating services to California communities, including Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia, Paso Robles, and Salinas. We provide solutions to common heat pump issues so you can get back to enjoying home comfort again.
Signs Your Heat Pump Might Have a Problem
Learn about the most common signs of heat pump failure, why they happen, and when you might need a heat pump replacement.
Not Heating or Cooling the Room Effectively
Your heat pump needs to be able to heat and cool your space. If your heat pump’s not heating, there could be an issue with the thermostat, outdoor unit, compressor motor, tripped circuit breaker, or a clogged air filter. The same issues can contribute to the heat pump not cooling effectively.
Ice Buildup
Ice buildup on the inside or outside of your heat pump usually happens when something’s blocking the airflow, like a dirty filter or a faulty fan motor. If you have a frozen heat pump, don’t try to defrost it by yourself. Try changing the air filter and looking for obvious blockages, but if that doesn’t help, call an expert to avoid causing more damage to the system.
Short Cycling
When the heat pump is short cycling, it turns on and off quickly without ever fully heating or cooling the space. Short cycling may indicate a system that is the wrong size system for your home, refrigerant leaks, electrical problems, thermostat errors, or a malfunctioning compressor.
Strange Noises
Heat pumps are generally quiet, with the indoor unit running between 18 to 50 decibels. If your heat pump is making a noise you’ve never heard before, or you notice grinding, squealing, thumping, buzzing, or rattling, don’t ignore it and hope it goes away. Schedule an HVAC inspection so one of our techs can find and fix the source of the sound for you.
Higher Energy Bills
An inefficient heat pump will cause your energy bills to rise because the system works harder and uses more electricity. Regular maintenance or a simple repair often resolves this issue and brings your energy bills back down. In some cases, you may need a heat pump replacement, especially if the system is more than 10 to 15 years old.
Common Heat Pump Problems & How To Fix Them
To understand common heat pump problems, it’s important to understand how a heat pump works. A heat pump uses a compressor to increase the temperature of heat taken from the outside air. This warm air blows into your home. Electric-powered heat pumps and geothermal heat pumps are both energy-efficient home heating options.
Common heat pump problems include:
- Bad smells
- Thermostat problems
- Blocked ducts
- Dirty air filters
- Refrigerant leaks
- Poor airflow
- Frozen heat pump
- Broken valves
- Insufficient heat or cool air
- Strange noises
- Compressor problems
- Valve issues
Many of these issues are due to malfunctioning internal parts and should be looked at by an experienced HVAC technician. The skilled team at Monarch is here to diagnose and solve your heat pump problems, big or small.
Troubleshooting Tips for Heat Pump Issues
Try these simple heat pump troubleshooting tips when your heat pump stops working:
- Check the thermostat to make sure it’s set correctly.
- Change or clean air filters if they’re visibly dirty.
- Check for a tripped circuit breaker and turn the power back on if necessary.
- Move obstacles that may be blocking your vents, such as furniture or carpets.
When To Call a Professional for Heat Pump Repairs
Anything beyond simple troubleshooting methods should be handled by an expert. Your heat pump is a delicate, complex machine connected to your electrical system. Attempting to fix it yourself may cause damage or injury.
Some signs that you should call a professional for help include:
- Electrical malfunction: Get help from an HVAC expert if the heat pump won’t turn on, smells like burning, or the breaker keeps tripping.
- Mechanical problems: If you’re hearing strange sounds from inside the unit or the heat pump is short cycling or operating strangely, speak to an expert about your options.
- Refrigerant issues: If you see signs of leaks or ice buildup around or inside your heat pump, contact a professional.
At Monarch Home Services, we handle everything from a full system breakdown to heat pump efficiency issues and tune-ups. You don’t have to live with substandard heating or a broken-down heat pump — contact us today.
Preventative Maintenance To Avoid Heat Pump Issues
Preventative maintenance is an important part of heat pump ownership. Schedule professional maintenance or repairs at least once a year to prevent costly breakdowns and to keep your system running at its best. Our heat pump tune-up includes:
- A full system inspection, including the ductwork.
- Oiling all moving parts.
- Cleaning and removing debris.
- Changing or cleaning filters.
- Checking the refrigerant.
- Testing airflow, temperature control, electrical connections, etc.
If you want to learn more about how to maintain a heat pump, call Monarch Home Services for help.
Contact Monarch for Your Heat Pump Needs
Ready to schedule an inspection, maintenance, or repair service for your heat pump? Contact Monarch today. We’re here to help your system run more efficiently so your home stays comfortable all year round.