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Solving Most Common Heat Pump Issues in AZ: Essential HVAC Guide
On average, heat pumps last 16 years.
Despite this, it’s common for heat pumps to experience issues from time to time.
When you notice issues, you’ll need to repair them quickly to ensure your heat pump lasts as long as possible.
If you have a heat pump in AZ, you need to be sure that it will keep your home at the right temperature.
There are some common issues that heat pump owners face, and knowing about them can save you headaches and resolve them quickly.
Ready to learn more about repairing a heat pump?
In this essential HVAC guide, we’ll tell you how to solve the most common heat pump issues in Arizona.
Refrigerant Leaks
Water leakage is common in heat pumps and shouldn’t be ignored.
If you notice that the heat pump unit is leaking liquid or if you see mold growth on the walls by your heat pump, take notice.
Your heat pump could have a refrigerant leak.
A refrigerant leak can lead to ice building up on the evaporator coils.
This ice can then melt and cause water to leak.
Refrigerant leaks aren’t easy to detect, so you’ll likely want to call a professional to help verify the issue.
They may add refrigerant, fix the hole, and make heat pump repairs and replacements.
Clogged Drain Line
Alternatively, a leak could be due to a clogged drain line.
When cooling, a heat pump will bring in humid air and will transfer it through the condensate pan and drain line.
If the condensate pan has cracks or if the drain line clogs up, leakage could occur.
If you have a clogged drain line, you may want to take the front cover off and try to unclog the drain line yourself using a dry vacuum or a towel.
You may also want to call an HVAC professional.
Heat Pump Won’t Turn On
If your heat pump is failing to turn on, then it can be difficult to determine what the problem is.
There are a lot of things that can cause a heat pump to not turn on.
One of the main causes is if the heat pump isn’t getting power.
There could be an issue with your power source, such as the circuit breaker getting tripped.
A heat pump may also fail to turn on due to thermostat problems and being wired incorrectly.
Other possible issues include a faulty starter capacitor or a faulty reversing valve.
It could also be due to dirty air filters since this can lead to system overloading and cause it to shut down.
If your heat pump isn’t turning on, check for thermostat and power issues.
If you don’t find anything, consider calling a professional to investigate other sources of the problem.
Home Doesn’t Heat or Cool
A heat pump that doesn’t heat or cool properly won’t do you much good.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why your heat pump may cease to heat and cool your home adequately.
If you notice either of these issues, the simplest solution is to check your thermostat and make sure that it has been set correctly.
You may have set it wrong by accident.
Another potential reason for heating and cooling issues is dirty components.
Dirty components such as air filters can block airflow and lead to heating and cooling problems, so you’ll want to investigate to determine the cause.
Other issues that could lead to improper heating and cooling include a refrigerant leak, blockages around the outside unit, and leaking ducts.
Bad Odors
You may also notice bad smells coming from a heat pump system.
Bad smells could point to a deeper issue, so pay attention.
One possible cause is mold growth in your heat pump.
If there’s mold in the system, it can circulate and lead to poor indoor air quality and health issues.
You can handle mold issues yourself if the problem isn’t too extensive, but in some cases, you may need professional help.
Similarly, electrical problems can lead to a burning smell in your system.
If you suspect that this is the issue, be sure to turn off your circuit breaker and get in touch with an HVAC professional for a diagnosis.
Finally, if an animal has crawled into your heat pump system and died, it could lead to foul odors as well.
You’ll need to take off the cover of your heat pump, find the animal, and remove it to get rid of the bad odor.
Heat Pump Runs Continually
A heat pump will continue running until it reaches the desired temperature.
A heat pump may experience decreased efficiency as time goes by and need to run continually to do its job.
Poor efficiency could be due to your unit’s air filters being dirty and blocked.
With inhibited airflow, the heat pump will have to work extra hard to make noticeable changes in your indoor air temperature.
Similarly, your system will have to work extra hard if there’s a lot of dirt and debris on the evaporator coil or condenser coil.
In both of these cases, you’ll need to do some cleaning to improve heat pump efficiency.
Replacing air filters and cleaning your coils will help your heat pump start functioning well again.
Finally, your heat pump may also have to run for longer if the refrigerant is leaking or if the compressor is broken.
In these cases, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to come check out the system.
They may fix the refrigerant leak or replace the compressor.
Fixing the Most Common Heat Pump Issues
If you’re experiencing any of the most common heat pump issues in your Arizona home, you’ll need to figure out what the problem is and make some repairs.
While you may be able to handle some of these issues DIY, it’s usually a good idea to hire a professional to ensure your heat pump is fixed correctly.
Mark Daniels Air Conditioning and Heating provides professional, polite, and high-quality service across the Greater Phoenix Valley.
Our family-owned business has been serving the area for 20 years and is well-equipped to troubleshoot your heat pump problems.
Ready to get started?
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
Sun Lakes heating repair needed? We are a 5-star, family-owned company ready to help! Our team at Mark Daniels Air Conditioning & Heating offers expert maintenance tailored to your HVAC needs. Call (480) 571-7219 or request service online now!
