Posting Date: March 18, 2016
Posted by: Tim Jones, Branch Manager, Fort Pierce
Heat pumps, as part of a home’s central heating and cooling system, use outside air to both heat a home in winter and cool it in summer. Like any equipment, heat pumps can develop problems. We thought we’d share these problems with you in the hopes that we can be there for you if you need our help.
Inadequate heating is among the most common problems with heat pumps. In many cases, this is caused by:
- blockages in air ducts
- low thermostat settings
- dust in the air filters
- poor refrigerant flow
- faulty valves
When your heat pump fails to turn on, it is normally due to some kind of electrical problem. If the heat pump is connected to a power switch, either on the wall near the unit or inside the air handler cabinet, be sure it is turned on (many don’t have switches). If it is turned off, turn it on and wait a few minutes for the air handler to engage.
This should be followed by resetting all the circuit breakers connected with the heat pump; it doesn’t matter whether they’re tripped or not. The final step you can take is to check whether there are any frayed wires in and around your device.
The heat pump normally produces some slight noise, but when it’s making noticeably loud and irregular noises like awkward grinding, squealing, or rattling is an indication that something is not right.
To fix this, you need to ensure the control panel is tightly screwed in place. Afterwards, you can try to locate the source of the rattle since it could be as easy to fix as a register out of place or loose ductwork. If the noise is more of grinding and squealing, then the motor bearings could be worn out.
If your heat pump is not producing any heat at all, chances are the problem lies with motor overload or at the main power supply. In order to fix this kind of problem, you need to check the power supply as well as the thermostat. Consider resetting the device by pressing the reset button. You can also check the heat pump’s ignition for any possible faults.
When it comes to heat pumps, you can troubleshoot some problems by yourself, while others will need professional attention. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you need our help. Contact us or call 877-237-9700.