Non-Cooling Heat Pump? Consider this Troubleshooting Checklist

Don’t let their name fool you; heat pumps are incredibly efficient cooling devices. Their name comes from their function of transferring heat. During the hot summer days, this means they grab heat from inside your home and ‘pump’ it outside to leave you with cool and comfortable interiors. However, if you suddenly find that your heat pump isn’t keeping up with the summer heat, then consider the following troubleshooting steps:

Inspect the batteries.  

Sometimes big problems have simple answers. Check your thermostat’s batteries to see whether the cause of your non-working heat pump might be a lack of battery juice. Replace low or dead ones with high-performance options. 

Inspect the air filter.  

Over time, your air filter will become clogged with all of the dirt, debris, and other air contaminants common in Texas homes, thereby preventing your pump from operating effectively. We recommend changing air filters every month during the peak summer (and winter months) to keep your air fresh, clean, and continually pumping.

Inspect refrigerant levels.  

Low refrigerant charges decrease the efficiency of your equipment and can lead to overheating and system failure. Low refrigerant charges have several underlying reasons that range from the simple-to-fix leak to more pressing component breakdowns. If you suspect that your heat pump has a refrigerant-based problem, then we recommend having a technician visit your home to inspect your equipment, test the charge, and add the appropriate amount of refrigerant. 

To learn more about how heat pumps work, and how to fix them when they don’t, contact us today.