Why Is My Heat Pump Not Reaching The Set Temperature

When it comes to heating your home, a heat pump is an efficient choice. It keeps you and your family warm and cozy. Even though it helps you save a fortune on your energy bills, sometimes things can become frustrating such as the heat pump not reaching the set temperature. Before you vet HVAC companies for heat pump repair, let’s take a look at some of the potential causes.

The Thermostat

It is often that when a heat pump develops a problem, people believe that the heat pump itself is faulty. However, that is not the case. There are several things that control and operate the heat pump and if anything happens to malfunction, the entire unit will fail to perform effectively. Therefore, the first thing you might want to inspect is the thermostat. The thermostat ensures that the temperature inside your house is according to your needs and preferences. However, if there is a problem with it, the heat pump will not be able to reach the desired or set temperature.

Unfortunately, if there is a problem with the thermostat, you are going to need a professional HVAC technician to come take a look at it. Typically, thermostats require calibration, which is something you cannot do on your own unless you have the tools for it.

The Pump Is Frozen

You might be surprised to hear that heat pumps freeze when they are specifically designed to produce hot air but that is the case sometimes. If you observe that the interior of your house is chilly, regardless of how high you have adjusted the temperature, it means that your heat pump is finding it difficult to draw heat from the outside.

Snow and ice formation and accumulation over time can freeze the heat pump. Countries that experience extreme cold weather conditions are prone to having their heat pumps frozen. This is why it is advised to regularly inspect and remove snow and ice accumulation so that the heat pump is able to breathe.

In addition to that, it might also be that the refrigerant is leaking. Since it is the refrigerant that absorbs the heat, low levels of refrigerant will prevent the unit from working optimally. In this case, as well, you will need a professional to fix the problem.

Your Reversing Valve Has Failed

One of the main reasons people prefer installing air-to-air heat pumps is because they are versatile. These systems act as heaters in the winters and function like air conditioners in the summer. However, to do this effectively, the heat pumps should be able to switch between heating and cooling effortlessly. This process takes place through a component called the reversing valve. If the valve isn’t working, the heat pump will not produce hot air and as a result, the house will never heat up.

Fixing the reversing valve requires disassembling the heat pump. You will need to call in a professional for help. The reversing valve needs to be of the right type to ensure efficient functioning of the heat pump.

The Air Ducts Are Clogged

If you observe that your house is not heating up, it might be that your heat pump is working fine but there is something else causing the problem. In some cases, clogged air ducts will not allow hot air to circulate properly. As a result, your home will remain cold.

It is not necessary that each problem has to do with the heat pump itself. Sometimes, some problems require simple solutions. If you have clogged air ducts, you can clean them on your own or call a professional who will get down into every inch of the air ducts. This will ensure that the air is circulated both evenly and effectively.

It’s Just Too Cold

Even though air-to-air heat pumps offer several advantages, they are not as powerful as other heating methods. If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold, the heat pump will struggle to keep up. And since you cannot control the weather, you will need a backup to keep the house warm.

Final Word

Heat pumps last for years until they start developing problems. In the meantime, you should make sure that your heat pump is regularly maintained and the air ducts are cleaned as well. If the problem requires a simple solution, you can try fixing it yourself. However, if the situation involves replacing the thermostat or reversing valve etc. you should leave it in the hands of the heat pump repair service McLean.