3 Easy Fixes for when your Heat Pump Isn’t Working Properly

03 Feb 3 Easy Fixes for when your Heat Pump Isn’t Working Properly

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

Your heat pump works its hardest in extreme weather—when it’s either very cold or extremely hot and humid. The last thing you want is to have your heat pump start malfunctioning during the middle of winter. If this happens to you, the Kingsport HVAC professionals at Thompson Electrical Service want you to know three easy steps to try if your heat pump stops working this season.

Step 1: Is it generating heat?

This may sound too basic, but it’s actually a key step. Once you’ve established that your home hasn’t lost power, ensure that all vents are open. Next, adjust the thermostat to a few degrees higher than the current temperature. If you have a digital thermostat, setting the temperature just 2 degrees higher is enough. If you have a standard thermostat, set it 5 degrees higher than the current temperature.

Now, go to each room and check every register or vent. Do you feel warm air? If not, troubleshoot a bit more. Make sure the thermostat has fresh batteries if it is battery-powered, is programmed correctly, and turn the fan “on” rather than the “auto” setting.

Maybe you’re feeling warm air, but the heat pump is cutting on and off frequently, which could be an indicator of overheating. This overheating could stem from a malfunctioning blow or thermostat; in either case, you only would want to trust repairs to an HVAC professional maintenance specialist in Johnson City like the experts at Thompson Electrical Service. The culprit, however, could be a clogged filter—which is an easy DIY task that most homeowners can handle as long as the filters are easily accessible.

Perhaps some rooms are getting warm air, but others are not. Debris, dust, and particles may be blocking air vents. You can check this yourself if you have access to the ductwork—specifically, the intakes and exhaust. If not, you’ll have to leave this to the pros and call a qualified technician. Maybe you hear strange noises like squeals and grinds when your heat pump turns on, in which case the problem could be a serious mechanical issue like a bearing.

Step 2: Is the fan or blower operational?

You didn’t hear the fan turn on when you raised the temperature on your thermostat. First, check the wiring to the thermostat. If there’s no problem there, check the fuse box to ensure the breaker has not been tripped. If a breaker has been tripped, turn the breaker or breakers off completely and then back on to reset the circuit. If it trips again, you have an electrical issue that only should be identified and repaired by an experienced Kingsport electrician.

If there are no electrical problems, turn on your emergency heat—making sure you set the temperature at least 5 degrees higher than the current temperature. Do you feel warm air? If so, then the issue is something dealing with your outside unit… leading us to the third and final step of our HVAC troubleshooting guide.

Step 3: Check the outdoor unit

Deactivate your emergency heat and set your thermostat to the normal heat setting. When evaluating your outdoor compressor, make sure to clear off any debris and leaves that could have accumulated on the heat pump, its intake, or its exhaust. Be sure to check the fins, which can catch clumps of grass and leaves. Now check the pipes. If you have screen mesh on them as prevention against rodents, the mesh might need to be replaced. If one of the pipes is covered with ice, it’s time to call in the professionals.

If, after following all these steps, your heat pump still is not working as it should, it’s time to call a qualified heating repair technician. At Thompson Electrical Service, our HVAC experts in Kingsport are available 24/7 as needed to meet the needs of your home or business. We also offer regular maintenance plans, which will inspect your heat pump and the system twice yearly to help ensure it keeps running as it should during any season.

To find out more or if your HVAC is currently on the fritz, give us a call at (423) 343-5726. We’re proud to serve the communities of Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City in Tennessee.