5 Troubleshooting Tips For Heat Pumps

 Before calling in heat pump repair technicians, check out these 5 troubleshooting tips for heat pumps. Sitting at home and having warm air blowing out of the vents when you are expecting cold air is not fun. Sometimes problems with heat pumps are simple and can be fixed by the home owner. The money saved on heat pump repairs could be quite substantial.

1. The most simple first step is to check that the heat pump thermostat is at the proper setting. Check the cool/heat settings and what the current set temperature is.
2. Check the thermostat batteries. If the batteries have gone low, some thermostats won't send the signal to the outside compressor to turn on. Air will still circulate through the vents but it is no longer being cooled. Check if the outside unit is running while the inside air handler is on.
3. Check the air handler filter. Look for the air handler, which is usually located in a closet or garage. The filter is usually at the bottom of the equipment and is labled. If the filter is clogged, the air flow over the cooling coils will be low and the coils can freeze over. Once the freeze happens, in addition to the lower air flow, the air will no longer be cooled properly.
4. If you see water on the floor under the air handler, the drain is clogged. There is usually a white PVC cap in the drain line where you can add small amounts of bleach to keep the lines cleared of slimy build up. Water on the floor indicates that drain is no longer flowing. Also, check the outside drain point for that line as it may also be blocked.
5. Warm air in cooling mode may also be caused by a dirty outside unit. Look at the fins around the outside unit. If the fins are clogged up with dirt it won't cool well. Use a garden hose to spray down the fins to remove the debris.

You can use these troubleshooting tips to keep your heat pump in good working order and make sure you are comfortable in your home.