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Is Something Wrong With Your Heat Pump? What You Need To Know
Admin • Nov 25, 2021
Heat pumps are a popular way to heat a home efficiently and effectively. Heat pumps are convenient but can suffer from wear and tear just like any other appliance. If you have a heat pump in your home, you need to know about potential problems a heat pump can have. The following are some of the more common issues you may experience with a heat pump.
The Heat Pump Does Not Turn Off
If you notice your heat pump continues to run, there may be an issue. Ideally, the heat pump should cycle frequently but not remain on. The issue could simply be an incorrectly calibrated thermostat, which means the heat pump has no issues.
The air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. When fresh air cannot get to the system, the heat pump has to continue to run to maintain an adequate flow of air to keep your home at your desired temperature.
You may need a compressor contactor, which is a small device that controls the heat pump. An HVAC technician will inspect the compressor contactor to determine if it needs to be replaced.
Coils that have built up dirt and grime can cause the heat pump to stay on constantly. Any buildup can prevent an HVAC and a heat pump from operating correctly. To prevent this from happening, you should have it cleaned regularly.
The Heat Pump Will Not Turn On
If your HVAC will not turn on, you need to contact an HVAC technician. There may be a loss of power to the heat pump. You can check your home's circuit breaker panel to see if the switch is turned off. This can happen when the electricity goes out. The power loss could also be due to a blown fuse.
Your starter capacitor may also be bad. The starter capacitor provides power to the motor of the heat pump. If the capacitor breaks, the heat pump will not run. You will know the capacitor is the problem if you hear a clicking sound when you try to turn the heat pump on.
The reversing valve may also be bad. The heat pump needs this valve to remain operational to effectively heat and cool your house. If the reversing valve is bad, the heat pump will run the furnace but not the air conditioner, or vice versa.
The Heat Pump Short Cycles
If your heat pump turns off soon after turning on and continues to do so, it is short cycling. This can cause problems for the life of your heat pump. If the system continually turns off and on, the heat pump can wear out prematurely. The constant cycling can also impact your energy bills and render your heat pump less efficient.
The problem may be that the system is overheating. If the heat pump and other HVAC components are dirty, airflow cannot adequately move through the system. The restriction of airflow can cause the system to overheat and shut down.
The system could also have a leak of refrigerant. If the refrigerant is too low, the heat pump will not be able to complete a cooling cycle. Your HVAC technician will check your refrigerant levels to determine if this is the problem.
The Heat Pump Smells Strange
If you notice some odd smells when you turn on your HVAC, there may be some mold or mildew in the system that is causing the smell.
Another possible and more concerning issue is electrical problems. If you smell a burning smell when the system turns on, there is likely a major electrical problem. Call your HVAC technician right away if you notice a burning smell coming from your heat pump.
If you have any questions about your heat pump, please contact us at Northwest Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.
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