Heat Pump Troubleshooting Tips

Just as with any other heating and air conditioning equipment, heat pumps can develop problems from time to time, but there are a number of troubleshooting tips you can try before calling a professional.  Whether you experience total equipment failure, a strange noise, or inefficiency, knowing what it going on can help you solve the problem faster

• Like most home comfort equipment, heat pumps can fail due to lack of power.  If your heat pump has stopped working, first check the circuit breaker to see if it has tripped.  Make sure you check both the main panel and any other panels associated with the equipment itself.  If the breaker trips repeatedly, call a professional.
• If the condenser unit of your heat pump freezes up, it is likely an airflow issue.  You can check this by making sure the air return vents are not blocked.  This is also a good time to check and replace the air filter to ensure it is not the source of your air flow problem.  If these two fixes don’t help, it’s time to call a trained technician.
• Heat pumps should cycle on and off at intervals that keep your home comfortable and within a consistent temperature range.  A thermostat malfunction or incorrect thermostat settings can cause too much or too little cycling.  Make temperature adjustments and if the problem isn’t corrected, have the thermostat professionally calibrated.
• Rattling noises are usually associated with loose connections in ductwork that can easily be tightened.  However, squealing or grinding noises are symptoms of a larger problem that likely requires professional help.
• If your heat pump blower runs constantly, make sure the thermostat is not on the fan setting.  If the fan is in the off position and the heat pump blower keeps running, you should call a repair contractor to make an adjustment to the limit switch on the heat pump.

At Roth Home, heat pumps are just one of the many equipment types we install and maintain.  If you live in the Portland area and need a consultation or repair for your heat pump, call us today at (503) 266-1249 to schedule an appointment.