Be Aware of These 7 Wintertime Heat Pump Problems in Brentwood, TN

Heat pumps offer energy-efficient alternatives to heat your home. The units are highly likely to develop problems during winter because they are in high use during this season. We will discuss the heat pump problems that commonly occur during winter in Brentwood, TN.

1. Your Unit Runs Constantly

Typically, an optimally functioning heat pump provides heat in cycles. In one hour, your heat pump should cycle two to three times. Each of these cycles lasts 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your indoor temperatures.

Some situations and anomalies may cause your heat pump to run continuously. For instance, if the outdoor temperature is below 30°F, your heat pump may run without stopping to satisfy your home’s heating load.

Other factors that may cause your heat pump to run continuously include cranking up your thermostat, a clogged air filter, dirty condenser and evaporator coils, refrigerant leaks, or using an undersized heat pump. When you schedule heat pump maintenance, a technician will clean all the dirty components and stop any leaks.

2. There Are Weird Smells

An optimally functioning heat pump should not produce any smell while running. Therefore, if you detect any unusual odor, there is an underlying problem that you need to address.

Various smells communicate different things. For instance, a burning smell means there is an electrical problem, while a rotten fish smell may mean your motor is overheating.

Musty smells may mean biological contaminants are growing on your evaporator coil. It is not wise to ignore unusual smells because the problem may worsen, resulting in more damage. Seek a technician’s help as soon as possible.

3. Your Heat Pump Is Short Cycling

Your heat pump may turn on, run for a short time, shut down, turn on again and repeat this process. It’s a phenomenon called short cycling.

Short cycling increases your heat pump’s wear and tear. It interferes with your indoor comfort because it results in uneven heating.

It also causes your energy bill to shoot up since the heat pump’s energy consumption increases. Thermostat issues, an oversized heat pump, and refrigerant leaks may cause your heat pump to short cycle.

4. Your System Doesn’t Heat Your Home

Homeowners buy heat pumps to heat their homes in winter and keep them cool in summer. It can be frustrating when your heat pump doesn’t provide the comfort you need.

Issues that keep your heat pump from providing sufficient warmth in your home include wrong thermostat settings, an incorrectly calibrated thermostat, a clogged outdoor unit, low refrigerant levels, and leaky ducts.

5. Your Outdoor Unit Is Frozen Over

It’s normal for ice to accumulate on your outdoor unit during winter. When ice builds up there, it inhibits your heat pump’s ability to draw heat from the outdoor air. Your heat pump protects itself by initiating a defrosting process that melts this ice.

Therefore, the ice should go away after a short time. However, if your unit has problems, the ice may remain on the unit. Common issues contributing to a frozen outdoor component include a faulty outdoor fan, refrigerant leaks, dirty coils, and a malfunctioning defrost timer.

6. Your Heat Pump Won’t Turn On

Your home could be freezing during winter, leaving you wondering what the problem is. After investigating, you realize that your heat pump isn’t running although you turned it on. Common issues that make your heat pump fail to turn on include a faulty thermostat, overheating due to poor airflow, and a defective starter capacitor.

7. Your Heat Pump Produces Unusual Noises

Heat pumps offer quiet operation, so when you hear weird noises, something is wrong. Loose components cause banging noises when they hit other heat pump parts.

Refrigerant leaks cause hissing and gurgling noises, while poor lubrication results in grinding noises. Switching off your system immediately after you detect these noises is vital to prevent the damage from worsening.

We can take of all your HVAC issues in the shortest time possible. Contact Kimbro Air for professional heating services this winter if your heat pump isn’t operating efficiently.