Most Americans prefer the heat pump because it’s an all-in-one heating and cooling unit. A heat pump works by extracting warmth from the air and moving it inside your house to heat the air. This improves indoor air quality. Heat pumps transfer heat from one place to another by circulating a refrigerant through a cycle of evaporation and condensation. This uses less energy than conventional heating systems like boilers and furnaces that heat the house by warming up the air inside. Given the crucial role of a heat pump, you should seek heat pump repair services whenever you observe the following problematic signs.
1. The Heat Pump Ices Up During the Winter
It’s common for some ice to form on the heat pump unit during winter. To mitigate this, the heat pump occasionally shifts into defrost mode to melt the ice. The defrost cycle lasts for an average of five to 15 minutes. As part of normal operation, frost and ice will accumulate on the outdoor coils. This triggers the heat pump to shift temporarily into cooling mode and reverse the flow of the refrigerant. Hence, the heat is redirected to the heat pump unit for a few minutes, and this melts the built-up ice.
If you find that a lot of ice and frost has accumulated on the heat pump, it means that the defrost mechanism is not working optimally. This could be caused by many factors such as faulty sensors, relays, and controls, or it could be a problem with the reverse valve. Additionally, the refrigerant levels may be low, or the outdoor fan motor could be faulty. When too much ice accumulates on the unit, the heat pump will shut down automatically to protect itself from further damage. That is why you should seek heat pump repair services whenever you observe excess ice and frost accumulating on the heat pump unit.
2. The Heat Pump Makes Unusual Noises
When your heat pump is operating optimally, it is normal to experience some noises, especially when the heat pump is in defrost mode, shutting down, or initially turned on. However, as you get accustomed to the sound of your heat pump, you’ll easily detect strange noises. When you hear screeching, rattling, grinding, squealing, and sharp noises, it may mean that a part of the heat pump is loose or broken. It may be a bent blower blade or a broken belt causing the noises. To avoid further damage and more costly repairs, you should shut down your unit and seek heat pump repair in St. Augustine, Florida.
3. Your Utility Bills Significantly Spike
You may observe that your utility bills have skyrocketed, yet you have not increased your energy consumption. This may indicate that your heat pump is not working efficiently, and there’s a need for repair. Especially if your heat pump is more than fifteen years old, or you have conducted repeat repairs, the heat pump may consume more energy than usual. A good HVAC installation company will advise you when it’s time to replace your entire heat pump unit rather than conduct expensive repairs that may turn out to be ineffective.
4. Reduced Heating and Cooling
More than 84% of homes in the U.S. utilize some kind of air conditioning. It’s estimated that the U.S. uses more air conditioning than the rest of the globe. Therefore, when you observe that your heat pump is not cooling your house as it should, or is not producing enough heat to warm your indoor air, then it’s time to engage heat pump repair services. Any time you experience a decline in indoor air quality, you should get a professional to check your heat pump for any malfunctioning parts.
Whenever you observe excess ice and frost accumulating on your heat pump, hear unusual sounds from your heat pump, experience a huge spike in your utility bills, or experience a lack of warm or cool in your home, you should seek heat pump repair services.
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