Heat Pump Troubleshooting 

How to Avoid Costly Repairs - Troubleshooting Guide

Home appliances help make people’s lives easier and comfortable but in order to enjoy their maximum benefits and make them last long, they need regular maintenance. Heat pumps are no exception. They perform their best when well taken care of because if neglected, they could give you problems and only add to your expenses. 

But like all other home appliances, do not expect your heat pumps to be perfect. Being machines, they could also bog down after prolonged use. It is essential then that at the first sign of inefficiency or trouble, a homeowner finds a way to fix it as soon as possible or perhaps call a technician if no one in the house knows how to repair the problem.

• Heat pump not operating for hours. If your heat pump experienced a tripped circuit breaker, blown fuse or there was power failure in your area, 
  it is advisable that you refrain from using it for six to eight hours. This should be done is the temperature is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. 
  The best thing to do is set the pump on emergency heat for about six to eight hours after which you can turn on the pump to its regular heating 
  setting. 

• Not much warm air is produced. Something might be blocking the flow of heat from your unit. If this happens, it’s about time you check the 
  condition of your heat pump. Perhaps, it needs a little cleaning to make it more efficient. Check if you have replaced filters and other important 
  parts of the heat pump are clean and lubricated. Be sure to inspect its outdoor unit which contains the compressor, a coil and fan among others. 
  Keep this unit free from dirt and leaves by removing and cleaning the grille. You can use a vacuum cleaner hose to clean the fan blades from 
  debris. 

• Thermostat malfunction. When you feel that the heat in your home is not even or your heat pump often turns on and off or your room temperature 
  fluctuates, there may be a problem with your thermostat. It should be set to “heat” and the circuit breaker of your heat pump should be turned on. 
  Check the main electrical panel and sub-panels or you can also reset the motor by pushing the reset button near its housing. 

• Circuit is blown or tripped. If this is the problem, reset your circuit breaker or you may have to replace the fuse. In case it blows up again, there 
  might be a short in the electrical system that supplies power to the furnace. The fuse is located in the power switch. 

• Air handler emits sound. Sounds from a forced-air heat pump are produced when the belt connecting the motor to the fan slips. The belt might 
  be misaligned or already worn and needs to be replaced. If this happens, turn off the unit and contact a repair technician. 

• Noisy heat pump. If your heat pump makes noise when switched on, check that the cover panels are screwed tightly. Be sure also that the belts 
  are aligned.