When hearing or smelling anything suspicious, turn off the system immediately and contact an HVAC specialist. A fishy smell indicates an electrical problem; for dual fuel systems, it could indicate gas leakage.
Make sure that all registers are clear of furniture, and ensure the thermostat is set for heat; otherwise, have it recalibrated as soon as possible.
When your heat pump fails, quick actions are crucial. For reliable support, you can click the following link to contact a reputable company that offers heat pump services in Phoenix.
Check the power
If your heat pump won’t start up, it is crucial to perform a power check. Begin by making sure both switches for your indoor unit (usually located near the thermostat) and outdoor unit are set to ON before checking to see if any breakers or fuses have tripped, which resetting them may help get things back running again.
Check that your outdoor unit’s fuse or breaker hasn’t tripped; heat pumps require significant amounts of power, and if they draw too much power at once, their circuit breaker could trip as a safety measure.
If this occurs, flip the breaker off before looking at your electrical panel to ensure all indoor/outdoor unit circuit breakers have been switched to “ON.” Generally, this can be found within an air handler cabinet.
Faulty reversing valves are another common source of a heating system malfunction, potentially stemming from either an incorrect thermostat setting or electrical issues that need to be resolved by a certified heat pump technician.
Weather elements can adversely impact the outside of a heat pump unit, which requires it to be regularly checked to function optimally.
Check the thermostat
Ensure the thermostat settings are correct if your heat pump seems frozen or non-functioning. This component tells the system when to switch on and signals it to turn off once your desired indoor temperature has been achieved.
If your thermostat misreads your home’s current temperature or you are experiencing electrical issues that prevent communication with the heat pump, call in professional repair services immediately; otherwise, further damage could ensue from such malfunction.
Ascertain that the thermostat you use is programmed to begin heating at the proper time of day if it is programmable. If no warm air is coming through your vents yet, try turning up the temperature by five degrees – this will allow your defrost system to operate more effectively and get your system unfrozen faster.
Check the condenser
Heat pumps draw air in from outside and circulate it around your home through condensation, cooling it by producing condensate, which then drips down through a unit, draining through an appropriate drain line and out of your home. However, if that drain becomes blocked, it could result in an overflow of water that damages the system.
Leaks in your condensate pan or drain line may also prevent your heat pump from functioning effectively, so ensure both are clean. If you detect a fishy or sulfuric odor when running your heat pump, stop immediately and contact your gas company; this could indicate natural gas leakage that requires a professional inspection before continuing the unit’s operation.
Outdoor units of heat pumps require regular care and maintenance to remain functional. Make sure the unit is free from debris such as fallen leaves, branches, or yard items that could obstruct airflow; check that no plants have grown too close and trim as necessary if necessary.
If your heat pump makes unfamiliar sounds, such as rattling or banging noises, then its fan motor needs replacing. Dirty evaporator coils and air filters may also produce similar sounds, requiring professional intervention.
If you hear any rattling, screeching, or grinding noises coming from your system, it would be wise to call in a professional technician, as these noises could indicate anything from loose fan belts or compressors to malfunctioning defrost coils.
If your heat pump operates only in heating mode, not cooling mode, it likely has a reversing valve problem that requires professional intervention.
Check the ductwork
Over time, ductwork joints and seals may loosen with age – especially common among older homes with sheet metal or duct board ductwork ducts. Furthermore, vibrations or accidental impacts, such as car doors crashing into attic vents, may further compromise its integrity and cause irreparable damage.
Leaky ducts waste energy by allowing conditioned air to escape into wall cavities and crawl spaces instead of living spaces that you want to maintain. Although you can temporarily patch most leaks with duct tape, for optimal results, look for one with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approval, as this will last much longer and won’t disintegrate over time. UL stamps indicate high-quality tape.
