Keeping your Dayton home’s heat pump operating correctly is essential to maintaining a comfortable home during the hot summer months. A heat pump malfunction can spell a nasty situation, especially when the equipment stops cooling during the hottest week in July. To help get a malfunctioning heat pump back to work as quickly as possible, try these easy troubleshooting techniques:
- Check settings. If your heat pump worked normally during the colder months, and has just started failing during the onset of the cooling season, start by checking your thermostat settings. The thermostat should be turned to “cooling” and set on automatic. Set the temperature to your ideal comfort setting, but if this isn’t low enough, the system won’t turn on.
- Check thermostat batteries. If you have an electronic thermostat, your heat pump malfunction may be as simple a problem as a low or dead battery. Replace your unit’s batteries with high-performance ones.
- Inspect the heat pump air filter. Air filters must be free of dust and debris in order for your heat pump to work efficiently and effectively. During heavy use seasons, filters should be changed or cleaned every month. In any season, get in the habit of inspecting the filer monthly, and changing it when necessary.
- Keep the compressor/condenser clear. Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of any yard or other debris. Sometimes all that’s needed to solve a cooling problem is a simple washing of the outdoor unit with a low-pressure hose.
- Check the power source. Inspect the fuse or breaker box to ensure that your heat pump is receiving power. If the heat pump continually flips the breaker, you have a problem with either the unit’s compressor or your home electrical wiring. In either case, it is advisable to contact a professional to inspect the problem.
- Add refrigerant. A heat pump without the correct refrigerant level can lose efficiency and eventually experience system failure. However, refrigerant is extremely hazardous and the adding of refrigerant requires a special license. Contact your local HVAC technician to inspect your refrigerant levels and adjust as needed.
To learn more about the troubleshooting tips to employ when you have a heat pump malfunction, please contact our skilled experts at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., proudly serving Dayton, Springfield and nearby 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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