9 Signs Your Heat Pump Needs to Be Repaired
If you’re already using a heat pump for climate control in your home, you’re well-acquainted with the benefits. Your gas bills are likely lower than they used to be, your indoor air quality is better, your system runs quietly, and you’re doing your part to move all of us towards a greener future.
While we’re big fans of heat pumps for all the reasons listed above, like any other major appliance, heat pumps don’t function optimally forever, and they do need to be repaired from time to time.
Read on to learn about some top warning signs that might indicate that your heat pump requires a little TLC.
1. Excessive Noise
As mentioned above, heat pumps are supposed to run quietly, and if they aren’t, something is likely amiss.
Hissing, screeching, or rattling sounds can all indicate different issues, so it's best to get any noise checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
2. Short Cycling
Short cycling is when your heat pump turns on and starts to run, runs for a concise amount of time, shuts off, and then turns on again soon afterward.
Short cycling is hard on efficiency and will likely increase your electric bills. Various issues can cause it, so it’s best to have your heat pump looked at by a professional instead of trying to diagnose it yourself.
3. Odd Smells
Your heat pump should run odorless, and if it doesn’t, something is probably wrong. Again, different odors can indicate various issues.
If you haven’t had your heat pump cleaned recently, you may notice it emits a burning smell, likely caused by dust heating up and burning off within the system. Other chemicals, exhaust, or burning smells can indicate electrical components burning out or parts overheating. All of these smells need to be investigated by a professional who will clean the system or replace faulty components.
4. Higher Electricity Bills
Heat pumps are generally highly efficient, so if you suddenly see a significant increase in your electric bill, it’s a good sign that your heat pump is not working optimally.
Often the issue lies within an internal connection in your heat pump. These are usually fairly straightforward to fix, meaning that your repair bill will likely be small, and your energy savings will return to what they typically are.
5. Reduced Heating or Cooling
If your heat pump is running as much as it usually does, and your home suddenly feels less cool or less warm than usual, it isn’t running as well as it should be.
The issue could be with the compressor, or you could have a refrigerant leak. Either way, it’s worth contacting a professional before the problem escalates and your home becomes an uncomfortable temperature.
6. Airflow Through the Vents Is Unbalanced
Heat pumps are very common in the average household, and they usually work all year around. If there is no air coming out of your heat pump or the speed of the air is weak, this may be a sign of a pressure imbalance. You also might hear whistle noises coming from the vents.
Weak or imbalanced air flow means that your HVAC system is running without actually heating or cooling your home. This will only raise your electricity bill until the underlying issue is fixed.
7. Ice On the Outdoor Unit
Have you ever noticed ice on the coil of your outdoor unit? While it's not necessarily something to be concerned about since it's common when it comes to heat pumps, if the ice is very thick or doesn't defrost quickly, it's time to hire a professional to check it out.
The ice can prevent the heat pump from working correctly. Furthermore, if the ice is super thick, it'll come in contact with the pump's moving parts, which may hinder the airflow.
8. The Heat Pump Is Old
It’s natural for a heat pump to develop certain problems over time. If the heat pump in your home is over 15 years old, it might be time for you to get an upgrade.
9. The AUX Heat Is On
The AUX heat option on a thermostat is a relatively standard setting, and when it's on it means your heat pump is needing an extra boost to meet your goal temperature. Once that temperature has been met, your AUX heat should shut off.
If you notice that the AUX heat indicator is powered on consistently, there might be a problem with your heat pump.
Get Expert Heat Pump Services in the Twin Cities Metro Area
If your heat pump is exhibiting any of the signs mentioned above, and you are located in the Twin Cities Metro Area, we here at Quality Systems Heating and Cooling would love to be of service.
Contact us today for a free heat pump assessment and quote. We bring three generations of experience to our HVAC business, and we are leading advocates and installers of heat pumps in Minnesota. Financing options are available, and we guarantee kind and responsive customer service and quality workmanship!