In the winter, your heat pump absorbs warmth from the air outdoors and delivers it into your home. But, because this unit is outside, it’s vulnerable to snow, freezing rain, and cold temperatures. Not surprisingly, these conditions can cause issues with your heat pump. Some of these issues are more common than others.
Formation of Ice on the Unit
A heat pump has a normal defrost cycle designed to melt ice forming on the sides of the unit. However, if ice forms on your heat pump and remains there, it indicates a problem. The formation of ice on the sides of your heat pump prevents it from fulfilling its purpose.
Another similar issue that occurs in the winter is when the fan blades freeze inside a heat pump. The motor may operate, but the blades don’t turn. This can result in a burned-out motor. Of course, replacement is necessary for a burned-out heat pump motor.
An expert HVAC technician is able to diagnose problems with a heat pump’s defrost cycle and provide the appropriate repair. Also, this professional can address a heat pump’s frozen fan blades along with similar issues that happen in the wintertime. Keep in mind that trying to fix these issues on your own can result in further damage to the unit. It’s best to leave the repair work to qualified HVAC professionals.
Inadequate Drainage
The design of a heat pump allows melting snow and ice to drain out of the unit. So, if components inside your unit begin to freeze, it’s likely you have a drainage issue.
Water pooling around the base of the unit is another sign of inadequate drainage. Melting snow and ice should be flowing away from the unit in order to prevent rust and corrosion. An HVAC technician can examine the unit to see if the issue is due to poor drainage or something else.
Blockage of the Air Coils
The air coils inside your heat pump gather heat from the air outdoors to deliver into your home. So, if there’s any blockage around the air coils, they aren’t able to absorb the warmth in an effective way. The area surrounding the heat pump should be free of vegetation, so the unit has access to plenty of airflow.
Heat Pump Is Constantly Running
When delivering heat in the winter, the heat pump should kick on for a period of time, then shut off. A heat pump that’s constantly running is a sign of a problem. This could be one of many issues, including a refrigerant leak or a malfunctioning defrost cycle. An HVAC technician has the training to determine the source of this issue and employ the proper fix.
The Benefits of Getting Regular Maintenance Service for Your Heat Pump
One of the benefits of maintenance service for your heat pump is it can prepare the unit for wintertime conditions. Our HVAC technician can test the unit’s defrost cycle to ensure it’s functioning as it should. Also, they can check to see if the heat pump has adequate drainage and airflow. While checking all of these functions, our HVAC technician can look for any potential problems with the system. Fixing those issues during a maintenance check may head off an emergency repair during the cold weather season.
Having maintenance service on your heat pump gives you the opportunity to ask our HVAC technician questions about your system. They can give you tips on how to keep your heat pump operating as it should throughout the winter. Also, getting regular maintenance by a knowledgeable technician means you have a trusted professional to call if an issue arises. That’s valuable peace of mind!
At Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. in Northglenn, we are happy to provide maintenance service on your heat pump any time of the year. Our NATE-certified technicians have the skills and equipment to make the necessary repairs or even install a new system. We have experience working with many brands of heating and cooling equipment. In addition, we offer services to improve your indoor air quality, such as air duct cleaning and air scrubber installations. We’ve been serving the heating and cooling needs of customers in Northglenn since 2007. Our company rating is A+ with the BBB, and we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Call our helpful team at Unique Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. in Northglenn to schedule an appointment today!
