An air source heat pump is built for comfort year-round, pulling warm air out of the surroundings when it is cold, and discharging this heat when it gets hot. It’s efficient, quiet, and steady, until it’s not. First, there’s a strange sound here, another room gets cooler, you see a slight increase in your energy bill, and before you know it, that steady rumble of comfort turns into grumbling displeasure.
Most people notice something isn’t right long before the system breaks altogether. You have to learn to pay attention to those early indicators, and act before small problems become costly repairs. Here is what to pay attention to when your heat pump starts asking for help, and when you might need for air source heat pump repair.
The System Struggles to Keep the Right Temperature
Your heat pump needs to be running at a responsible pace to hold on to the set temperature and shouldn’t be constantly adjusting the parameters. If you consistently see yourself adjusting the thermostat or experiencing colder (or hotter) rooms, that indicates there is probably an issue.
It could be a refrigerant leak, dirty coils, or compressor issue; all of which impede the system’s efficiency to move heat, resulting in additional costs and inconsistent comfort. However, air source heat pump repairs can be made by experts who can diagnose and remediate, hopefully before the compressor burns up or your energy costs double.
You Hear Unusual Noises
A functioning heat pump makes a relaxed humming noise. It may give further openings warning signs when it is clicking, rattling, grinding, buzzing, or whistling. Noises rarely go away on their own, and often get worse and costlier as time goes by. A service technician may help you take care of the minor repair before it becomes a major breakdown.
·Rattling may mean paneling that has loosened or material in the fan;
·Grinding may indicate worn bearings;
·Buzzing may mean electrical problems.
Ice Buildup on the Outdoor Unit
Some ice on the outdoor coil in colder weather is normal and will generally go away on its own when the defrost cycle kicks on. However, if you notice a thick ice build up that does not seem to melt at all, the system may not defrost properly, which could be indicative of low refrigerant, a sensor malfunction, or airflow problems such as dirty air filters or blocked venting. Ice build-up restricts airflow making the heat pump run harder and more inefficiently as it works to produce heat. If it does not thaw out, it may damage the coil and /or the fan blades.
Higher Energy Bills Without a Clear Reason
If your heating and cooling costs rise unexpectedly while your usage remains unchanged, it’s reasonable to suspect that your heat pump is inefficiently operaring most likely due to short cycling considerations. It’s not uncommon for heat pumps to short cycle by turning on and off repetitively, or for some models, operating for excessively long periods of time in-order to achieve the set temperature.
Short cycling can be caused by a variety of mechanical and electrical problems including a failed thermostat, refrigerant problems, and/or a dirty air filter. All these issues force the heat pump system to work harder to achieve the set temperature. Even something simple s preforming a task, exponentially raises energy use and wear on any heating and cooling equipment. A trained technician can recalibrate and rebalance the system, returning it to normal efficiencies and costs.
Weak or No Airflow
When you have weak airflow through the system, or the air coming out of your vents feels warm instead of nice and warm (or cool instead of cold), you have some problems. A weak airflow is most often due to a clogged air filter or a failing blower motor, but in some cases, it can even be restricted airways (or ducts). While replacing air filters can understandably be accomplished do-it-yourself style, all things air flow will likely take mechanical involvement. The sooner you have it checked the less likely you are to have a total system failure.
The Heat Pump Runs Constantly
Keep in mind that heat pumps operate by cycling on and off based on the temperature, but running non-stop is a red flag. If the heat pump is running continuously, then it may be undersized for the load, could be low on refrigerant, or may have a faulty sensor. Not only does the heat pump run inefficiently and waste energy, but it also wears out the key components like the compressor and fan motor.
Air source heat pumps are quite reliable if maintained properly, but as with any mechanical system, they fail with warning. A timely call to a technician is when something “just feels wrong,” not when something isn’t working.
