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Common Heat Pump Issues and Fixes – Part One of Two

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Posting Date: March 16, 2017
Posted by: Leigh Fichter, Branch Manager, Phoenix, AZ

Heat pumps can be a great and efficient way to heat and cool your home – but only if they’re working properly.

If your heat pump isn’t working as well as it should, there are some steps you can take to try to troubleshoot the problems yourself. In this two-part blog post, we’ll look at three issues that commonly occur with heat pumps – and steps you can take to address them before calling for a repair.

Problem 1: Your heat pump doesn’t run

If your heat pump doesn’t turn on, there is a problem with either the thermostat or the power being supplied to the unit. Do the following:

  • Make sure the thermostat is set properly – Make sure the heat pump thermostat is set for “heat,” or for the target temperature if you’re using it to cool your home. Be sure to set the heat pump for at least five degrees above (for heating) or below (for cooling) the current temperature of the room.
  • Make sure you have the right thermostat, and that it has been installed properly – If your thermostat has been replaced recently, make sure that is compatible with heat pumps (not all thermostats are) and that it has been wired properly – an incorrectly wired thermostat can damage electronics and keep the heat pump from working.
  • Make sure the heat pump is receiving power – Check circuit breakers that supply power to the unit; If they’ve been tripped, reset them. If the circuit breaker trips again, there is probably a short in the electrical system that needs professional repair.
  • Make sure that any power switches are turned on – Your heat pump may or may not have a power switch; if it doesn’t, check for any wall switches that may affect operation of the unit and make sure they are in the “on” position.

Never try to repair a heat pump yourself! If you’ve tried all these solutions and your heat pump still doesn’t run, contact us for a professional heating pump repair. If you need to upgrade your heat pump, let us know – we can provide a FREE estimate on a high efficiency replacement to keep you comfortable all year long.