Are you facing heat pump problems? If yes, then go through this article to understand the tips for troubleshooting heat pumps.
Troubleshooting Heat Pump Problems
A brief knowledge about the parts of a heat pump will help in an easy diagnosis of the heat pump problems. The basic components include an evaporator (circulating fans), reversing valve, condenser (refrigerator coil) and a compressor. Prior to starting with heat pump troubleshooting, turn off the power supply at the main circuit breaker. Following are some of the common heat pump problems and ways to troubleshoot them:
No Heat Production: If there is no heat production, then the problem may be due to failure in the main power supply or a power flux that put the system in safety lock down mode. Most of today’s heat pumps have computer boards which have many safety protocols. In order to troubleshoot this malfunction, check the power supply and thermostat and fix them (if necessary). In case there is a power supply issue, shut main power off to entire system for five minutes then reset back to on. Re-check the ignition of the heat pump for any issues or defects. If none of these tips work, then you should call your local Heating and Air Conditioning Contractor for service.
Insufficient Heat Production: Insufficient heat production is one of the major heat pump problems. In most cases, it is caused due to obstructions in the air ducts. Other reasons for this defect may be a low thermostat setting and presence of dirt in the air filters. You can check these items very easily if they are functioning properly or not.
Low and High Head Pressure: A heat pump problem with low head pressure can be caused by a lack of refrigerant, damage of the compressor and dirty evaporator which normally makes unit (out door condenser) freeze up. On the contrary, high head pressure often results from overfeeding of the refrigerant and dirty condenser and will cause compressor lock out for around 15 minutes. Monitor the systems and recheck whether the heat pumps starts working normally or not.
Freezing of Heat pump: Freezing of the heat pump unit may be caused due to a faulty air blower or accumulation of dust and dirt in the filters and evaporators. For fixing this problem, check for the defrosting option in your heat pump unit. If there is one, you can defrost it and check the compressor for any defects. Do not forget to check the calibration of the thermostat.
Noisy Heat Pump: Noisy functioning of the heat pumps is caused due to reasons like loose screws, improper fixation of the belts and noise from the air ducts. To repair and troubleshoot this malfunction, you can tighten the screws, check the belts and introduce a plastic insulation inside the metal air ducts.
Some of the effective servicing tips for minimizing the heat pump problems are regular wiping of the fan blades, tightening screws and bolts and checking for loose wire connections, oil fans if required. Changing return air filters on a monthly bases. While speaking about the heat pump pros and cons, they are energy saving devices that run with a small amount of electricity, in most cases heat pumps are ideal for both South Carolina and North Carolina. A major disadvantage of the heat pump system is its limitation to operate at 20 degress or lower temperatures but we rarely see days with temps that low.
For Heat Pump repair service or more info call 803-385-5826.