Heat Pumps: Basic Troubleshooting Tips

A heat pump is a piece of equipment that carries heat from the frigid outside air into the house. An internal compressor uses power to raise the temperature of the heat absorbed from the outside air in order to do this. The heat pump can also provide cooling by transferring warm indoor air outside! Heat pumps are tough home systems, but they, like other appliances in your home, are bound to break down at some point. If you need to learn how to troubleshoot basic issues with your heat pump, swamp cooler maintenance expert Mechanical Technologies is here to help!

Continuously-operating pumps

During cold weather, heat pumps may appear to run continually, but in most cases they’re running on a regular basis and just doing their job. It’s possible that your heat pump will need to be repaired if it’s always on and the temperature outside is above 35 degrees. There are many reasons for this issue to occur, however, and the heat pump may continue to run due to refrigerant leaks, compressor failure, a frozen outdoor unit or a unit that is too small to adequately heat the space. If this issue persists, don’t hesitate to call the pros.

Icing problems

The presence of a layer of ice on the heat pump could signal a problem. Ice can form on heat pump coils, resulting in a thick layer of snow and ice covering the entire unit. The ice will hinder heat transfer from the outside air to the refrigerant, causing the heat pump to break down. If you don’t address this problem right away, you risk causing irreversible damage that will necessitate costly repairs and replacements.

If this happens, here’s some information and a few pointers that may help you resolve the problem on your own:

• Defrosting issues – Heat pumps switch to air cooling mode regularly to melt frost and light ice. If the system isn’t defrosted, ice can readily form, causing a variety of issues. Faulty relays, controllers and sensors might cause defrosting issues. There could also be a problem with the reversing valve, which controls the heat pump’s transition from heating mode to cooling mode.

• Outdoor fan problems – The fan motor could be faulty or inactive, or the fan itself could be damaged. This will  prevent heat from leaving the device, resulting in the formation of ice. When in doubt, schedule HVAC checks to have them checked and cleaned. If you’re not fully confident with performing a home AC repair, then call an HVAC company in to have a look at your system.

• Insufficient refrigerant – A slow refrigerant leak could lower the charge to the point where the system can’t generate enough heat to melt the frost. In this case, the unit will most likely struggle to reach the desired temperature, putting you at risk of indoor temperature problems.

Contact Us!

If you’re tired of searching online to find out ‘how much refrigerated air costs’, consult the pros! Mechanical Technologies is an HVAC installation and service company that upholds high standards of quality, craftsmanship and service. We take great pride in offering you the best service around, and we do so with the help of our hard-working technicians. All of our technicians have extensive experience with all types of HVAC systems, are specially-trained in the installation of refrigerated air and have received EPA refrigerant certification. We also offer reliable brands of AC units and heaters and any necessary components or parts. For refrigerated systems, we carry only the most well-known and reputable manufacturers of HVAC systems.

For further inquiries, contact us at (915) 544-1550 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We proudly serve clients and homeowners in the state of Texas.