When you need heat pump repair in Manassas, Virginia, trust the experts at Air-Right Energy Design.
Your heat pump works hard to keep your house at the right temperature.
Unlike air conditioners, the outdoor unit on heat pumps doesn’t get time off when the temperatures drop.
Instead, your heat pump works all year to keep your home comfortable in the winter and cool in the summer. That continual effort can culminate in the need for repairs.
If that time does occur, Air-Right Energy Design is happy to help. We can work on most any heat pump. We work hard to make your home comfy again as soon as possible.
Customer satisfaction, efficiency and safety are our top interests. We’re happy to prove it when you trust us with your home comfort. Call us now to schedule an appointment.
Five Indications Your Heat Pump Needs to Be Repaired
Now that you know some of the root causes of heat pump damage, it might be helpful to hear how those problems make themselves known. Here are some general signs something is faulty with your heat pump.
1. Heat Pump Covered in Ice
During the frigid days of winter, it’s possible that your outdoor unit will have a bit of ice buildup. When this happens, your unit should move into a defrost cycle and reverse the refrigerant to melt the ice. If your whole unit is covered in ice and won’t defrost, you have an issue that needs professional attention.
2. Heat Pump is Short Cycling
By short cycling, we mean that your heat pump kicks on and stops before it’s had a chance to bring your home to your preferred temperature. This is a sign that your heat pump is incorrectly sized for your home. And if it isn’t taken care of, it could wear your heat pump down.
3. Energy Bills are Increasing
Your heat pump is one of the most efficient HVAC solutions available—especially if you maintain it well. If you’re doing everything you can to take care of it and are still watching your energy costs increase, it’s time to bring in a professional.
4. Heat Pump Is Noisy
Your heat pump isn’t going to be completely silent, but it also shouldn’t be noticeably noisy. If you’re hearing new sounds from your system—especially any that sound incorrect—you may want to have a professional take a look.
5. Heating or Cooling Seems Weaker
Lower home comfort is maybe the most obvious—and annoying—sign you may need a repair. If you’ve tried modifying your setting and nothing seems to work, Air-Right Energy Design can help.
Common Reasons for Heat Pump Problems
There are quite a few things that can cause issues for your heat pump. Here are some of the most well-known issues.
- Lack of service. Like you, your heat pump needs to be taken care of to stay in good shape. You have a regular checkup. Your heat pump has seasonal maintenance. You should schedule an appointment with an HVAC expert twice a year to help your system stay strong. Without maintenance, you’re putting your system at risk for a real problem later on.
- Clogged filter. One of the easiest ways to keep your heat pump alright is to regularly check and replace your air filter. If you let it go, your system has to work harder to keep your family comfortable. Running overtime like that can lead to damage, and later, a repair.
- Component failure. Your heat pump is made of quite a few parts—both moving and stationary. They’re all crucial to heating and cooling your home efficiently. When one fails, it can make it challenging—or impossible—for your system to function without a repair.
- Thermostat problems. Your thermostat is a precise instrument. Any issue with it could make your home less comfortable.
Should I Repair or Replace My Heat Pump?
When your heat pump stops working, it seems only natural to call for a repair. But sometimes, a repair isn’t worth the investment. In those times, a replacement is a better option. Here are some factors that can help you decide if a repair is a better option:
- Your heat pump is less than 10 years old. If your heat pump is still fairly young, a repair likely makes sense. It still has a lot of life left for you. However, if your heat pump is up there in years, a replacement might make more financial sense.
- You haven’t repaired your heat pump a bunch of times. If a repair on your system is a relatively rare occurrence, you may want to go ahead with the repair. If you feel like you’ve been repairing your unit regularly, it might be time to contemplate a replacement.
- The repair you need is inexpensive. If a technician can take care of your issue quickly and the price is relatively low, a repair is presumably your best choice. But if your repair will cost you quite a bit—like replacing your heat pump’s compressor—it’s likely better to invest that money into a new heat pump that will serve you for a lot longer.
What’s the Next Step Toward a New Heat Pump?
A Air-Right Energy Design technician can walk you through all your options and help you decide if repair or replacement makes more sense for your system. No matter what you need, we’re here to help. Give us a call or request an appointment with us online.