Troubleshooting Common Heat Pump Issues – Part One of Two
A heat pump can be one of the most efficient and versatile heating and cooling solutions for your home – but only if it’s functioning properly.
If you sense that your heat pump isn’t working the way it should, there are some steps you could take before contacting us for a repair. In this two-part blog post, we’ll look at some common issues that occur with heat pumps and how you can address them.
Heat Pump Problem 1: Your heat pump doesn’t turn on
If your heat pump doesn’t run, it’s probably due to either a problem with the thermostat or with the power being supplied to the unit. Try the following:
- Check the thermostat settings – Make sure your thermostat is set for “heat,” or for the target temperature to cool your home. Make sure the thermostat is set for at least five degrees above (for heating) or below (for cooling) your room’s current temperature.
- Make sure your thermostat is the right model, and that it has been installed correctly – If you have recently replaced your thermostat, make sure it’s one that is compatible with heat pumps (not all thermostats are), and that it has been installed properly. If you can’t see your thermostat’s digital readout, try changing the batteries.
- Make sure the heat pump is receiving power – Reset any tripped circuit breakers that supply power to the unit. If the circuit breaker trips repeatedly, it is probably an electrical problem that needs professional repair.
- Make sure that any power switches are turned on – Check for any wall switches that may affect operation of the heating pump unit and make sure they are in the “on” position.
In our next post, we’ll talk about addressing two other common heat pump problems: poor heating and cooling performance and improper cycling.
If you’ve tried all these solutions and your heat pump still doesn’t start, contact us for service.
