As a Valley of the Sun homeowner with a heat pump system, the last chilly weeks of late winter can cause some issues. While your heat pump provides very efficient heating and cooling for most of the year, the transition periods when the weather is highly variable can mean problems if the system isn’t optimized for these conditions. Here are some common heat pump malfunctions and ways to remedy them before they leave you out in the cold.
Defrost Cycle Malfunctions
Heat pumps rely on occasional defrost cycles to clear built-up ice on the external coils. But if it’s not cold enough outside compared to inside temperature setpoints, your unit might fail to defrost properly or often enough. The evaporator coil can become a solid block of ice, which dramatically reduces heating efficiency. Closely monitoring your heat pump and manually activating the defrost mode if you suspect ice buildup can help restore normal operation.
Compressor Overheating
Late winter’s up-and-down temperatures confuse heat pumps. The frequent switching between heating and cooling modes can strain your pump’s compressor. It can overheat from working too hard trying to adjust output to match ever-changing outdoor and indoor temps. Ensure your pump has proper clearance on all air intake and hot exhaust sides. Improper insulation or airflow causes most overheating issues.
Failed Thermostat Signals
Glitchy thermostats during extreme weather shifts also plague heat pumps during our winters. Signals get crossed on whether to heat or cool, leaving your pump unable to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Resetting or replacing the thermostat often fixes this issue. You may want to consider a newer digital model better capable of handling rapid outdoor temperature swings if your heat pump doesn’t have this type of thermostat.
Low Pressure Buildup
Pressure gauges track heat pump operating performance. But substantial pressure differences between outdoor and indoor coils can happen on very cold nights or extremely warm afternoons in February and March. You may notice your pump struggling to reach set temps. Checking refrigerant levels and recharging if too low corrects most low-pressure conditions which your experienced technicians can do for you.
Cool Blew Has You Covered
If you’re struggling with no heat, your experienced heat pump technicians are here to help you. Call your locally owned HVAC experts today at Cool Blew at 623-872-2900. Were available 24/7 including weekends and holidays for servicing and questions related to your home’s heating and cooling. We’ll ensure that you’re up and running as quickly as possible.
