Troubles With Your Heat Pump? Try These Tips Before You Call For Help

Troubles With Your Heat Pump? Try These Tips Before You Call For HelpA heat pump that won’t work when you need it can be a source of frustration and discomfort. Before calling for service and adding extra expense to your list of aggravations, check the system out and see if the problem is something simple you can fix yourself. Here are a few tips to try before calling in an HVAC expert.

If the heat pump doesn’t switch on:

  • Make sure the unit’s thermostat is set to the correct mode, either heating or cooling. An error here could shift the system’s function to one that’s inappropriate for the season.
  • Ensure the heat pump is receiving power. Check the power supply to be sure it’s working. Make sure the power switch is in the “on” position.
  • Check the circuit breakers for the unit and see if any of them have been tripped. If any breakers are off, reset them and try to start the unit again. If the breakers continue to trip, you may have a dangerous electrical problem that will require expert assistance from an HVAC specialist or electrician.

If the heat pump doesn’t heat or cool properly:

  • Look at the thermostat to make sure the unit is set to an appropriate temperature. Nudge the temperature setting a few degrees up or down, as appropriate, to see if that helps.
  • Check the unit’s filters and change them if needed. Dirty filters are a primary cause of HVAC system inefficiency and breakdowns.
  • Make sure the vents and registers are unobstructed and that heated or cooled air can flow freely into your home.
  • Clean the coils of the condenser in the outdoor part of the unit. If the condenser has frozen up, make sure the unit’s filter is clean and that there is adequate airflow. If there are no problems with the airflow, contact an HVAC expert for service.

Air-Tro Inc. has offered reliable, professional HVAC service to customers in the greater Los Angeles area for more than 43 years. Contact us today for more information on heat pump troubleshooting and what to do if your system isn’t working correctly.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, visit our website.

Air-Tro Inc. services the greater Los Angeles area as well as the metro areas of Riverside and San Bernardino County.