6 Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Professional Repairs
There are several easy and effective ways to troubleshoot the heat pump in your Windsor, ON home. If your heat pump is overheating, icing, or short-cycling, you can check and change your HVAC air filter, remove blockages from your air vents, and clean the perimeter of your outdoor condenser unit. However, when these strategies don’t work, you need help. The following are six ways to know when it’s time to schedule professional heat pump repairs.
1. Loud Shrieking or Whistling Sounds at the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Much like air conditioners, heat pumps use refrigerant to transfer heat. During each heating and cooling cycle, your heat pump’s compressor alternately pressurizes and depressurizes refrigerant to pump it throughout your HVAC system.
If you have a refrigerant leak or if your heat pump compressor has problems, you might hear loud shrieking or whistling sounds coming from the outdoor unit. With increasingly less refrigerant to pressurize, leaky heat pumps experience extraordinary stress. If left unchecked, refrigerant leaks could cause your heat pump compressor to fail or collapse.
The compressor is your heat pump’s most expensive component. Whenever you suspect compressor problems or hear loud whistling and shrieking noises, turn your heat pump off and schedule service right away.
2. Lukewarm Air Coming From Your HVAC Air Vents
Your heat pump should produce conditioned air that’s noticeably warmer or cooler than your indoor air. If the air coming from your HVAC air vents is tepid, you may have a problem. Verify that your thermostat is set to “AUTO” rather than “ON.” On “AUTO,” your heat pump will automatically heat or cool. When the thermostat is set to “ON,” your heat pump fan will turn on, but your HVAC system will never initiate a heating or cooling cycle.
If the problem doesn’t lie with your thermostat, you may have a wear or maintenance-related issue. Our team can check for problems like dirty evaporator or condenser coils, a blocked condensate drain, or a faulty reversing valve.
3. Foul Odors and Muggy Conditions
During operation, heat pumps regulate both indoor temperatures and indoor humidity. They move excess moisture out and away from buildings by routing it into their condensate drains. Without proper maintenance, these drains can develop thick build-ups of biofilm and algae. This can lead to humid, uncomfortable conditions indoors and poor heat pump performance.
Excess humidity can also be the result of blocked or leaky ductwork, dirty coils, or a dirty air filter. Scheduling professional repairs when your home feels overly humid can prevent widespread problems with mold and mildew and adverse changes in your indoor air quality (IAQ).
4. Rising Energy Bills
Heat pumps are among the most efficient HVAC equipment types that Windsor homeowners can invest in. For many households, heating and cooling accounts for approximately half of all energy use. If your home energy bill is suddenly sky-high, a failing heat pump is the most likely cause.
Having your heat pump inspected, professionally maintained, and repaired will improve its efficiency and lower your energy bills. Timely interventions for developing heat pump problems also prevent minor and relatively inexpensive issues from spiraling out of control.
5. Your Heat Pump Won’t Heat
If you use your heat pump for year-round climate control, this appliance should automatically switch from cooling to heating as soon as winter arrives. When your thermostat registers an indoor temperature that’s below your preferred temperature, its reversing valve should reverse the flow of coolant so that you get warm air from your air vents rather than cold. You may have a damaged reversing valve, or your reversing valve could be stuck in position.
6. Your Heat Pump Won’t Turn On
There are many possible reasons why a heat pump won’t turn on. Sometimes heat pumps shut down as the result of poor maintenance and icing or overheating. However, heat pumps are hardwired directly into residential electrical systems. Faulty circuits, damaged electrical contacts, failed capacitors, and worn wiring are several issues that can keep a heat pump from powering up. Due to the risk of electrocution, electric shock, and electrical fires, it’s always best to have suspected electrical problems handled by a licensed HVAC company.
We help Windsor locals maintain healthy, comfortable homes with outstanding heating, cooling, and indoor air quality services. We also provide ductless air conditioning, boilers, and Rinnai water heaters. If your heat pump won’t turn on or if it’s underperforming, get in touch with Guaranteed Comfort Heating & Cooling today!