The weather is finally starting to cool down along with other signs that fall has truly arrived (i.e. Halloween merchandise in all the stores). If you have a heat pump to provide comfort for your house, now is a good time to switch it over to heating mode to see if it’s working correctly. If the heat pump comes on and either blows out cold air or room temperature air rather than the warm air you expect, you want to know about the problem now rather than when the serious cold weather arrives.
Why a Heat Pump Might Not Provide Heat
A heat pump is essentially an air conditioning system that can run in reverse when necessary, moving heat from outside a home and bringing it indoors. When you adjust the thermostat to change your home’s heat pump from cooling to heating, but nothing happens, there are a few possibilities:
- Broken thermostat: The issue could be as basic as a thermostat that has lost its connection to the heat pump. The thermostat is responsible for sending the electrical signal that activates the reversing valve that moves the system from cooling to heating (and back again). You can’t fix the thermostat yourself: call professionals, and they’ll either repair the unit or advise you on a replacement.
- Failed reversing valve: Another common reason for a heat pump trapped in one mode is that the reversing valve is broken. This valve is the essential component when it comes to allowing a heat pump to both heat and cool, since it changes the direction that the refrigerant moves through the system. Repair technicians can either fix the valve or (in most cases) replace it.
- Compressor trouble: The reason the heat pump isn’t sending out any warm air might be that it’s lost its ability to condition air at all—either heating or cooling. If the compressor is stuck or the motor burned out, the heat pump will be nothing more than a large house fan. This issue must be remedied immediately, since a failed compressor is an expensive repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: Why won’t my heat pump switch to heating mode?
Answer: A heat pump may fail to switch to heating because the thermostat is not sending the right signal, the reversing valve is stuck, or the compressor is not working properly. Since these parts control how the system changes from cooling to heating, a professional inspection is usually needed.
Question: Why is my heat pump blowing cold air when set to heat?
Answer: If your heat pump blows cold or room-temperature air in heating mode, it may still be stuck in cooling mode. Common causes include a broken thermostat connection, a failed reversing valve, or compressor trouble. The sooner it is checked, the easier it may be to prevent bigger repairs.
Question: What does the reversing valve do in a heat pump?
Answer: The reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow so the heat pump can either cool or heat your home. When this valve fails or gets stuck, the system may stay in one mode and blow the wrong temperature of air, even when the thermostat is set correctly.
Question: Can I fix a heat pump that will not change modes myself?
Answer: Basic thermostat settings can be checked, but problems with the thermostat connection, reversing valve, or compressor should be handled by an HVAC technician. These parts involve electrical signals and refrigerant movement, and an incorrect repair can lead to more damage or higher repair costs.
Question: When should I call for heat pump service?
Answer: You should call for service if your heat pump will not switch to heating, blows cold air in heat mode, or runs like a fan without warming the home. These symptoms can point to thermostat, reversing valve, or compressor problems that should be diagnosed before colder weather arrives.
ServiceMax has served Skokie, IL and the rest of Chicagoland since 1998. Schedule service with us today.