What Causes Heat Pumps to Stop Working?

Apr 15, 2022 | HVAC Maintenance

Heat pumps move heat from one place to another, helping to warm our homes and keep us toasty when the weather outside is chilly. Like all other equipment in our homes, it can breakdown at random times and for reasons completely unknown to us. We cover some of the most common reasons why this important piece of equipment might malfunction and how to tell what the issue is.

Heat Pump is Always Running

A heat pump that is always running is not just uncomfortable, it can lead to unwanted energy costs. If your system is always on, you’ll find a significant increase in energy bills. There are several reasons that can cause this to happen from incorrect settings to blockage in your system. Common reasons for this problem include the thermostat settings, dirty air filters, a broken compressor contactor, dirty air coils or a leak.

Heat Pump is Never Running

A problem we don’t ever want to deal with is a heat pump that isn’t running especially if it’s uncomfortably cold out. There are a few troubleshooting options that you can follow to try to get to the root of the problem. If your heat pump is not running this could be due to power loss, closed or obstructed registers, dirty air filters, or faulty equipment.

Heat Pump is Not Heating

Sometimes we run into a problem where our heat pump is working but it isn’t warm air that’s coming out. This can be frustrating because you hear your machine turning on but aren’t feeling any of the effects. When this occurs, you could be dealing with something as simple as needing to check your thermostat or replacing your air filters or it could be an issue where ducts are leaking or blocked.

Heat Pump is Short Cycling

Short cycling is when your heat pump is consistently turning off almost immediately after it turns on. This can make it difficult for your home to get to the desired temperature. Potential causes for this include a unit that is not sized to your home, a system that is overheating, leaks, or a thermostat that isn’t calibrated properly.

Call a Professional

There are many instances where you can solve the problem on your own. If it involves toggling some switches to adjust the temperature or changing out your filter, you can easily get your heat pump back to normal. However, some situations require a professional to come diagnose. If you’re struggling to figure out where the problem is stemming from, call a local HVAC professional to help you out.

Omega Heating and Air is the leading air conditioning, heating, and HVAC company in Conyers, Covington, and the surrounding areas in Georgia. Contact us for your needs by calling (404) 438-0353 or get in touch for other HVAC services using our contact form