Troubleshooting Tips: Why Your Heat Pump Won’t Turn Off

What should you do when you can’t get your heat pump to turn off? The AC repair experts at Mechanical Technologies share some troubleshooting tips that might help below:

Turn Off the Heat at the Thermostat

If your heat pump won’t turn off, switch the thermostat setting to “Heat Off.” If your thermostat doesn’t have a switch, try setting the thermostat above the current room temperature. This should turn the heat pump off temporarily.

Reset the Circuit Breakers 

If changing the temperature settings doesn’t work, you can try resetting the circuit breaker. Just remember that this is only a stop-gap solution. If, after switching it back on, you still can’t shut your heat pump down, you’ll need to have an air conditioner service company inspect it for any malfunctioning components.

Possible Causes 

What could be preventing your heat pump from shutting down? We’ve listed the possible causes below:

• The wrong type of thermostat was installed – If your heat pump was installed recently, the wrong kind of thermostat might have been installed. It would be a good idea to check the heat pump’s manual to make sure, as manufacturers will normally specify the types of thermostats that are compatible with their equipment.
• Faulty wiring – Faulty wiring can short-circuit the thermostat’s electrical components, preventing it from properly regulating indoor temperatures. The wiring outside, particularly the thermostat cable, could’ve been damaged as well by rodents chewing on the cable or a weed-wacker accidentally hitting it.
• Malfunctioning compressor contactor – Chances are problems with turning the heat pump on or off are related to issues with the compressor contactor, which regulates the electricity flowing into the heat pump. And since the compressor contactor is located outside, there’s a higher risk of damage.

Keep in mind that heat pumps have sensitive electronic components, so if you suspect your heat pump is malfunctioning, you should call an experienced contractor as soon as possible.

Looking for Qualified HVAC Experts in Your Area? 

Mechanical Technologies, a HomeAdvisor-screened-and-approved contractor, offers a wide range of professional HVAC services, including air duct cleaning and heat pump troubleshooting.  For inquiries, you can call us at (915) 544-1550 or leave us a message here.