The weather is only going to get hotter over the next few weeks, which means you’re going to be relying on your heat pump that much more to keep your home cool. More demand means more stress, which means a greater opportunity for issues to occur. You may not be able to fully mitigate the chances of a problem developing with your heat pump, but you can reduce the damage as much as possible. The best way to do that is to call for repairs as soon as you notice a warning sign that something is wrong with your system. Have a look at some of the warning signs that your heat pump is in need of repair.
Odd Noises
Unless you just had your heat pump installed, you probably know what it sounds like while it’s operating. You should have a professional check your system if you notice it making any noises out of the ordinary, as that can indicate a problem with the system. What kind of problem the heat pump is dealing with, and how severe it is, will vary depending on the sound. For example, a grinding sound often indicates that your heat pump’s air handler motor is having problems.
Quite a lot of friction is placed on the air handler motor during operation, which it counteracts using oiled bearings. These bearings wear down over time, though, causing the friction on the motor to increase and producing a loud grinding sound.
Hissing and gurgling sounds are another indication that something is wrong with your system, likely air bubbles in your refrigerant line. A refrigerant leak is another type of problem that should be dealt with as quickly as possible. The lower the refrigerant level drops, thanks to the leak, the more the output level of the system will drop, as well. If you hear odd noises of any kind coming from your heat pump, you should call for repairs as soon as possible.
Reversing Valve Issues
The reversing valve is the part of the heat pump that enables it to switch back and forth between heating and air conditioning functions. It does this by changing the direction that refrigerant flows through the system. If the reversing valve fails for whatever reason, it can lock the heat pump into either heating or air conditioning mode. Having a system stuck in heating mode when you’re in the middle of summer is obviously not ideal. If that does happen to you, you’re going to need to have a professional technician repair the reversing valve to restore proper function.
Low Air Flow
Low air flow might be due to an issue with your air handler. If the air handler is failing, it won’t be able to circulate as much air as it normally does. However, low air flow might also be due to something as simple as a clogged air filter. If you haven’t had your heat pump air filter changed in the last several months, it’s possible that it has become so clogged that it is blocking most of the air flow from reaching the heat pump. Changing it should solve the problem, if that’s the case.
Climate Masters provides heat pump repair services throughout St. Augustine, FL. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
