When our summer and winter weather extremes in Southwest Ohio, you want your heat pump working properly and efficiently to keep your home comfortable in all seasons. Unfortunately, like any device, a heat pump system can act up at the most inopportune times. Here are some tips for troubleshooting a heat pump that isn’t working right:
- Inspect the settings. Many Ohio area homeowners install heat pumps because they offer a cost-effective solution for energy-efficient heating and cooling in our more temperate climate. If your heat pump worked great in the winter, but had issues during the onset of the cooling system (or vice versa), begin troubleshooting a heat pump at the thermostat. It should be set to “cooling” or “heating,” depending on the season, with the fan set to “automatic.”
- Inspect the air filter. No HVAC equipment can work efficiently if it has a clogged and dirty air filter. Inspect the condition of your heat pump’s filter monthly, and replace or clean as needed. A good rule of thumb is to change or clean the filter once every month during heavy-use seasons, and every three months otherwise.
- Keep your outdoor unit clean. You’ll want your outdoor compressor/condenser unit installed in a secure and clean area. There shouldn’t be any yard debris, toys or other equipment obstructing airflow to the outdoor unit. If you notice sticky residue on the heat pump itself, you can use a low-pressure hose to gently clean and wash it.
- Inspect the power source. Check the heat pump’s circuit switch in the breaker box to ensure that the equipment is getting power. If its breaker continually trips, there’s a problem with either your home electrical wiring or the heat pump itself. You’ll want to contact a professional electrician to safely diagnose the issue.
- Add refrigerant. This is also a scenario in which you’ll want to call in a professional. Low refrigerant levels can reduce operating efficiency, impact performance, and lead to a possible system failure.
For more information on troubleshooting a heat pump, contact our local experts at Detmer and Sons, Inc., serving Dayton, Springfield and surrounding communities.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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