Fall is in full swing and temperatures are enjoyable and cool. But with winter just around the corner, temperatures will soon be dropping even more. You need your heater or furnace to work right every day around the clock so that your home and family are comfortably warm. But it’s not uncommon for homeowners to switch their heat pump from cooling to heating only to find out that their heat pump won’t switch modes.
What happens then? A broken heat pump is the last thing you want to deal with, but it’s a possibility. Remember that skipping regular heat pump maintenance can increase the chances that your heat pump won’t switch modes from cooling to heating – and it’s not too late to schedule maintenance for this season. If your heat pump won’t switch modes, give us a call for heat pump repair and our team can get your heat pump working again.
What’s Wrong With My Heat Pump?
There are a few common problems that can prevent your heat pump from switching over to heating. It’s a good idea to identify and fix the issue now instead of waiting until temperatures drop even more. Our team checks a few things when we visit your home for heat pump service.
Air Filter Needs Changing
Your heat pump has an air filter that keeps the inside of your heat pump system clean and also improves your indoor air quality. You need to change this air filter regularly – usually once every one to three months. Each air filter brand has a different rating, so you can check the label to see what the frequency is for your particular filter. When you don’t change your air filter regularly, it can collect too much dust, dirt, and other debris that leads to air filter clogs. A dirty air filter can block airflow into your heat pump system, meaning that there isn’t enough air to heat and move into your home. Your unit may end up working harder for the same or fewer results.
Recalibrating Your Thermostat
It’s possible that your thermostat is to blame – and the problem may just be that the calibration isn’t correct. When your thermostat isn’t calibrated, it cannot send the right signals to your heat pump when you change the settings from cooling to heating. Miscalibration can also lead to reading the indoor temperature incorrectly. When this happens, your thermostat isn’t communicating at the right times to turn on the heat. This can be easy to fix, but sometimes you need a whole new thermostat.
Reversing Valve Problems
Your heat pump switches between heating and cooling with the help of a reversing valve. When it’s hot outside, your heat pump works by removing hot air from your home. Then when it’s cold outside, your heat pump works by bringing in warm air. If your reversing valve doesn’t work, it may be stuck in cooling mode. Sometimes it’s easy to fix a broken reversing valve, but other times it’s easier to just replace the part.
Compressor Issues
The other problems listed above are easier and cheaper fixes. But if your compressor is the reason your heat pump won’t work, it can be a costly repair and an even more costly replacement. Luckily, compressor problems are rare unless your unit is very old. In that case, it may be more economical to replace the entire heat pump system instead of only replacing the compressor.
Contact Sound Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. today! We take your comfort as seriously as you do.