As it functions as both a heater and an air conditioner, your heat pump is incredibly important to your home’s comfort. When you rely on a heat pump for heating and cooling throughout the year, it can be frustrating and worrisome to find that your heat pump won’t turn on. However, before you panic or call for professional help, there are some steps you can take to diagnose and fix the issue yourself.
In this blog, we’ll explore some common reasons why heat pumps would stop working. Our experts explain some things you can do to troubleshoot the problem and share when it’s time to call our expert team for repairs or heat pump replacement.
Common Reasons Why Your Heat Pump Won’t Turn On
1. Tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse.
Your heat pump needs a sufficient and stable power supply to function properly. If the circuit breaker that controls your heat pump or the fuse that protects it from power surges has tripped or blown, your heat pump won’t receive the necessary electricity and will stay off.
To check if this is the case, locate the electrical panel that corresponds to your heat pump, switch off the breaker or replace the fuse, and then turn it back on. If the breaker tripped again or the fuse blew again, there is likely a more serious electrical issue that requires a professional’s attention.
2. Dirty air filters or coils.
Your heat pump also needs clean air to circulate and exchange heat efficiently. If the air filter that traps dust, debris, and allergens becomes clogged, the airflow could be restricted, causing the heat pump to overheat and shut down. Similarly, if the indoor or outdoor coil that absorbs or releases heat becomes dirty or covered with ice or frost, the heat exchange could be inhibited, resulting in a frozen or damaged heat pump.
To avoid this, you should replace the air filter regularly, clean the outdoor unit coil seasonally, and have the indoor coil cleaned by a professional once a year. If your filter and coil are clean yet the heat pump won’t turn on, it’s time to call us for heat pump repair.
3. Thermostat settings or batteries.
Your heat pump usually responds to the commands sent by your thermostat, which controls the desired temperature and mode of operation. If the thermostat settings are incorrect, such as the temperature being too low or the fan being in the wrong mode, the heat pump may not turn on even if it has power and a clean filter. Alternatively, if the batteries of the thermostat are dead, the signal may not reach the heat pump, preventing it from starting up.
To check if this is the case, adjust the settings of the thermostat, replace the batteries if needed, and observe if the heat pump responds accordingly. If the heat pump won’t turn on after you do so, call for heat pump repair to diagnose and correct the issue.
4. Low refrigerant charge or leaks.
Your heat pump also relies on a refrigerant, which is a chemical that absorbs and releases heat as it cycles between the indoor and outdoor units. If the refrigerant charge is too low, due to a leak or insufficient filling, the heat pump may not be able to transfer enough heat to keep you warm. Moreover, if there is a leak in the refrigerant lines, the refrigerant could escape and pose a hazard to your health and the environment.
To detect refrigerant issues, you need to call a professional HVAC technician who can use specialized tools and techniques to diagnose and repair the refrigerant system.
5. Faulty components or wiring.
Your heat pump contains many mechanical and electrical components that work together to produce heat, such as the heat pump compressor, the reversing valve, the defrost control, or the fan motor. If any of these components fail or malfunction, the heat pump may not work or may work poorly, even if the other components are still working.
Similarly, if the wiring that connects the components is damaged or loose, the electrical signals may not reach their intended destinations, leading to erratic or non-existent operation.
To rule out these possibilities, you need to have a professional inspect the individual components and wires. Once the issue is diagnosed, professional repairs can be made.
If My Heat Pump Won’t Turn On, Do I Need to Replace It?
It’s natural to feel concerned or even panicked if your heat pump system won’t turn on.
Before jumping to conclusions and assuming it’s time to replace the system, it’s essential to troubleshoot the issue and determine if there could be a simple fix. While these troubleshooting steps above can often fix common heat pump problems, there may be times when a replacement is necessary. This is particularly true if the heat pump is older or has frequent performance issues.
In such cases, upgrading to a newer, more efficient heat pump could save you money in the long run on your energy bills.
Contact Us for Heat Pump Repair
When your heat pump won’t turn on, there are several common reasons why this might be happening. If you are experiencing any of these issues, you can try to troubleshoot the problem before you call for repairs.
However, there may be times when it is best to call for repairs or even consider replacing your heat pump altogether, especially if you’re experiencing a total heat pump failure. If you have tried troubleshooting your heat pump without success, it is best to contact a professional HVAC technician for expert diagnosis and repair. Additionally, if your heat pump is more than 10 years old or isn’t supplying sufficient hot air or cool air, it may be time to consider a replacement to ensure optimal efficiency and performance.
At Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we understand how frustrating it can be when your heat pump won’t turn on, which is why we offer professional and reliable repair and replacement services to help keep your home comfortable all year round.
Contact us today to schedule your appointment and keep your heat pump running smoothly.
