Heat Pump Troubleshooting: The Winter Edition
The last thing you want this winter is to be stuck without heat, and if your heat pump isn’t working properly it can mean hours of teeth chattering and layered sweaters while you wait for a repairman to arrive. Well thanks to Arctic Air Conditioning, you can put those worries behind you. Not only do we provide exceptional prompt heat pump services in Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean County when you need them, but we have heat pump troubleshooting tips for your home this winter that can help you solve the case of the improperly functioning heat pump!
Diagnosing the Problem
Your Heat Pump Isn’t Providing Enough Heat
One of the most important aspects of heat pump troubleshooting in the winter is determining what to do when your heat pump isn’t providing enough heat. First, you need to determine the reason for the lack of heat. Some of the most common reasons include:
Outside Temperature – Since a heat pump works to heat your home by transferring heat energy from the outdoor air into the indoor air, it will stop being able to function properly when the temperature nears freezing. However, a back-up heat source can be installed to provide heat when necessary.
Thermostat Settings – There are a couple things that can go wrong with your thermostat that will require heat pump troubleshooting. Sometimes it’s as simple as the thermostat being on the wrong setting—switching it from cooling mode to heating mode can make all the difference! Other times, however, the thermostat can have more challenging problems. If you’re worried the thermostat isn’t reading the temperature properly, compare the wall thermostat with another “test” thermometer placed nearby. If there is a variation, it could mean a problem with your thermostat that requires repair or replacement. In this case, it’s best to contact an HVAC professional for an assessment.
Electrical Issues – Sometimes, when you’re doing heat pump troubleshooting, you’ll discover the problem lies with the heat pump itself—including electrical and fan problems. If you raise the temperature and your heat pump’s fan doesn’t kick on, this can mean a tripped breaker or issues with the wiring. Contact Arctic Air Conditioning for a complete diagnosis of this problem.
Human Error – One of the most common heat pump troubleshooting problems comes down to a simple misunderstanding between the heat pump and its owner. Traditional gas and oil furnaces generate heat by blowing air over a heat source, making the air coming out of the registers feel quite warm (like the air from a blow dryer). A heat pump, on the other hand, will produce heat at a lower temperature. So, don’t worry if you don’t feel that hot air you expect coming out of your registers—base your assessment of the heat output by the temperature in the entire house rather than what’s coming out of the vents.
Learn More About Heat Pump Troubleshooting
If you’re having other problems with your system or you want to learn more about heat pump troubleshooting, contact Arctic Air Conditioning. Not only can we help you keep your equipment in tip-top shape by providing heat pump troubleshooting information and services, we can perform any repairs, replacements, installations, or maintenance you may need! Contact us today to schedule a service call!
