What are the common issues that heat pumps have during winter? If you live in a region with harsh winters where temperatures often drop below zero, you’re more than familiar with the practical difficulties of your heat pump unit. However, when the weather gets really, really bad, you may also find that your heat pump is not as efficient as it used to be. This is because of a few different factors, not least of which is the weather conditions. The following are some of heat pumps’ most common issues during the winter months.
Defrost Cycle
The most common issue with heat pumps is the defrost cycle. When water freezes inside your air ducts, it can cause blockages that prevent air from flowing throughout your home. You may notice this issue when you see ice or frost on your air filter or if you hear a clicking sound coming from the heat pump. If you notice these symptoms, you should contact an HVAC technician from TS Heat & Air to get your system checked out. A trained professional can determine whether your unit needs repairs or if there’s something else wrong with it.
Low Refrigerant Level
This is one of the most common issues with heat pumps during the winter months. This is because when it gets cold outside, the refrigerant inside the unit has to work harder to keep up with the demand for heating. The more refrigerant you have inside your system, the more efficient it will be at heating your property.
If there is not enough refrigerant in your system, it will not be able to keep up with demand, which could lead to other problems down the road, such as high electric bills or even breakdowns in your system. When you experience this issue, it’s important that you get it taken care of right away.
Frozen Heat Pump
A frozen heat pump is bad because it will not work properly and may even stop working altogether. If this happens, you can be left without heating or cooling for several days.
The main reason why the heat pump may freeze is if the outdoor unit sits too close to the house and gets covered by snow or ice. This will cause it to overheat, which will make it shut off automatically by breaking a safety mechanism inside of it. The only way to fix this is to contact a professional and have them come out to clean off the snow or ice from around your outdoor unit. This needs to be done regularly during the winter months so that your system does not get frozen in the first place.
Blown Capacitor
A blown capacitor is one of the most common problems with heat pumps during winter. This component regulates voltage and current in an electrical system by controlling current flow through its coils and plates, which are located inside the capacitor’s housing. When you turn on your heat pump during cold weather, this component kicks on automatically. It helps regulate electrical current flow so that your furnace can distribute heat evenly throughout your home without wasting energy or shutting down unexpectedly due to overloading circuits. If a capacitor blows out, it won’t be able to regulate electricity properly anymore.
Blockages in the Air Filters
If your air filter is dirty or clogged up with dust, then this can lead to problems with your heat pump in the winter months when air quality is typically low due to cold temperatures outdoors and closed windows indoors. If there’s any kind of blockage in your air filter, this could lead to poor performance from your HVAC system and make it difficult for your unit to heat your home during colder months. The bottom line is that you need a clean filter so that you can receive optimum performance.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats are an important part of any heating system because they help regulate temperatures by controlling output from your furnace or AC unit. When these devices fail, they can cause several problems with your home’s heating system — including preventing it from operating. The most common issues with thermostats include batteries, sensors, and wiring problems.
Dirty Outdoor Coil
A dirty outdoor coil can cause a number of problems with your heat pump:
- It can make your system work harder to provide heating or cooling.
- It could cause the system to run continuously instead of shutting off when it reaches a certain temperature.
- It could allow dirt and debris into your home’s ductwork.
Electric Control Failure
An electric heat pump uses an electric coil to heat or cool the air. The most common issue with an electric heat pump is when the unit loses power or the thermostat is not set correctly. When this happens, the unit will not turn on or off and may cause damage to other components in the system.
Worn Fan Belt or Damaged Blower Motor
The blower motor is responsible for moving air throughout your home during operation. If this part fails, it can cause damage to other parts of your system and lead to further issues down the road. If your fan belt has worn-out or is broken, it’s time for a new one.
At TS Heat & Air, serving Oklahoma City and surrounding areas, we can address your heat pump issues. You can also rely on us for AC and furnace issues as well as emergency services and air purification. Call us today to learn more.
