At Commercial Service, we are always excited about heat pumps, but we know you probably are not thinking about yours until the cooler weather hits, and you are wanting that pump to keep you warm through the winter months.
We get a lot of questions about heat pumps, so we figured that we would dedicate two blogs specifically to the topic, and answer the most frequently asked questions. This first part is centered around preparing your heat pump for the upcoming chilly temperatures, and things to take note of to help identify an issue either you or a Commercial Service technician can repair.
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First... how exactly does a heat pump function?
It is common for a heat pump and furnace to be used interchangeably, however, the two devices are not the same. A heat pump utilizes electricity to move existing heat around; in the summer, heat pumps move heat from your home and deposit it to the outdoors, and in the winter, heat is transferred from outside into your home. A furnace actually generates hot air.1
There are three types of heat pumps: air-to-air (the most common), geothermal, and water source. All three of these heat pumps can be very energy-efficient, helping save the environment and some extra money on your energy bills each month.2
Commercial Service offers 24/7 emergency services and is always happy to send over a certified technician to assess any potential problems. For non-emergency repairs, schedule an appointment with our easy Online Scheduling or by calling 812-339-9114.
Solving heat pump issues
No heat pump system will function perfectly all the time, but there are a few issues that you can quickly diagnose and potentially solve. At the end of the day, no one can service your heat pump like a Commercial Service technician, so if you are unsure of the problem or how to fix it, call a certified technician any time of the day.
Not starting
Two culprits of a malfunctioning heat pump are a tripped circuit breaker and/or a blown fuse. You can try simply resetting the circuits and fuses and turning the system back on, but if that does not work, call a Commercial Service technician to give your heat pump a thorough inspection.
Blowing cold air
While it seems like an obvious comment, make sure you do not have your thermostat set to “Cool” at the very start. Once you have guaranteed that it is set to “Heat,” take a look at the refrigerant levels and see if the refrigerant lines have leaks. If the coolant levels are low or you do notice a leak, call Commercial Service immediately. A technician can make sure the coolant lines and the outdoor compressor are not damaged.
Draining problems
If a heat pump is not draining properly, you will notice dripping and/or leaks. In the winter months, this excess water can freeze on the inside and outside of your heat pump unit, causing damage. Avoid this by placing your heat pump on a sturdy surface that is high enough to ensure that snow or rain will not completely submerge the unit. You can also get your filters replaced regularly and make sure the coils are consistently dry.
Blocked coils
As mentioned, an air-to-air heat pump functions by distributing air from one area to another. When the coils are blocked by snow, rain, dust, or an accumulation of any other agent, this interrupts and reduces airflow, diminishing the quality of the pumped heat. You will notice uneven temperatures, and your system will not be as energy- and cost-efficient as it should be.
As an added measure, be sure you have not accidentally switched your thermostat to the emergency heating setting. To learn more about heat pump systems, or to get a solution to a problem you did not see listed above, schedule an appointment with our easy Online Scheduling or by calling 812-339-9114.
Continue reading Getting pumped for heat pumps (Part 2 of 2)
