Heat Pumps Problems & Troubleshooting Repair

Heat Pumps maintenance

Heat pump technology is reliable and well tested. Common troubleshooting are those of refrigerators and air conditioners (due to largely similar segments of technology): dirty filters, dirty coils, thermostat off or set incorrectly, etc.

Most heat pumps problems is easilu fixed by a qualified technician. But there are some small things you can do yourself, namely some basic verifications concerning the air grilles, the temperatures on the thermostat, dirty filters, frosting, etc.


Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Heat pumps most common problems involve

- low airflow
- leaky ducts
- incorrect refrigerant charge.

Performance deteriorates if airflow is much less than 350 cfm per ton. A technician can easily increase the airflow (by cleaning the evaporator coil and increasing the fan speed), but sometimes it is also necessary some modifications in the ductwork.

Refrigeration systems should be leak-checked regularly. When heat pumps are charged with refrigerant at the factory, they rarely are incorrectly charged, but since split-system heat pumps are charged in the field, this may be a cause of either too much or too little refrigerant: an incorrect amount of refrigerant reduces heat-pump performance and efficiency.

Note:
Airflow should be measured before refrigerant charge checking: the refrigerant measurements aren’t correct unless airflow is correct. Specific refrigerant temperatures and pressures listed by the manufacturer should match with your home's temperatures and pressures: if they don't match, refrigerant should be added or withdrawn.

Dirty filters and dirty coils

Blocked filter and dirty coils are a common cause of heat pumps problems. These parts of the system should be cleaned or changed regularly.


Air grilles

Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked (by furniture, for instance). Check all supply air grilles (normally located on your walls) to make sure they are open and blowing air.


Thermostats

Check the temperatures on the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is set in the right position (heat or cold) and that the temperature settings are the appropriate.


Electric panels

Check the circuit breakers at the electrical panel to make sure they are in the "On" position. Check other switches to be sure that they are in the "on" position

Heat pumps excessive noise

Fans and compressors make noise? A good heat pump model has an outdoor sound rating of 7.6 bels or lower.

If the problem isn't in the model, a possible source of the problem is the location. You should locate the heat pump outdoor unit away from windows and adjacent buildings.

You should also mount the unit on a noise-absorbing base.

Frosting problems

One of the most common heat pump problems is frosting affecting the coils in the outside unit. If your heat pump model hasn't a demand-defrost control, you should take into account this source of problems and the melting ice routines...


Winds and frosting problems

The location of the heat pump outdoor unit affects its efficiency. Outdoor units shouldn't be facing high winds: they are a cause of frosting problems. To overcome the problem think in a strategically placed bush or fence.


Heat pumps and electric furnaces

If your heat heat pump is connected to an electric furnace and shows low performance, see if the heat pump coil is placed on the cold (upstream) side of the furnace. This is an easy solution, most of the times.

Heat Pumps Guarantees and Lifetime

Lifetimes and guarantees vary a lot from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some manufacturers offer plans of, for instance, 10 years of total coverage, protecting you against rising repair costs, and with no limit on the number of repairs. But there are other more commonly guarantees, varying from part to part of the heat pump system.

The underground loop used in the geothermal system is often guaranteed to last 25 to 50 years and isn't a cause of problems. Compressors and outdoor coil are usually covered by a ten-year limited warranty, while internal functional parts benefit from shorter warranties: 5-7 years are common...

Most manufacturers offer Optional Extended Warranties that may cover labor, refrigerant and other costs not covered by other warranties.

You should ask the dealer for full warranty information at the time of purchase.

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