The best benefit of having a heat pump is that it works as both a heater and an air conditioner. So when you switch your heat pump to cooling mode, and the heat pump isn’t cooling your house, it’s a problem.
What might be going on here? There are many different causes for a heat pump that can’t cool enough or won’t cool at all. In some cases, a little troubleshooting may solve the problem, and in other cases, you’ll need to reach out to us for heat pump repair in Charleston, SC.
Undersized heat pump
A heat pump needs to be accurately sized to be able to effectively cool and heat your house. This is a job best left to professional HVAC technicians because amateurs often make the mistake of undersizing the heat pump. An undersized heat pump will never be able to adequately cool your house. The only solution to this dilemma is to have professionals replace the heat pump with one that matches your house’s cooling and heating requirements.
Broken reversing valve
If your heat pump is actually sending out warm air when you expect cooling, then the issue is probably a broken reversing valve. This is the valve that allows an AC to change between modes. When the valve breaks, it can cause the heat pump to get stuck in one mode—in this case, the heating mode. You’ll need to have HVAC technicians replace the reversing valve.
Dirty air filter
This is one of the simple causes of a heat pump failing to deliver on cooling, and you can make the changes on your own. You simply have to replace the current filter for the heat pump (probably located in a slot next to the HVAC cabinet) with a clean one. We recommend you do this every 1 to 3 months to prevent more problems from occurring.
Refrigerant leaks
Losing refrigerant to leak is one of the more serious problems that your heat pump can encounter. Refrigerant loss does more than reduce the cooling capacity of a heat pump. The changes in the pressure of the system from low refrigerant will eventually cause permanent damage, including a burnt-out compressor. Only HVAC technicians can seal leaks and recharge the heat pump to its original refrigerant amount.
Faulty thermostat
Sometimes the issue isn’t with the heat pump, but the device that controls it—the thermostat. Make sure the thermostat is properly adjusted, as someone in the household may have changed it. You may also have a miscalibrated thermostat that’s reading the wrong temperatures in the house so the heat pump isn’t cooling it enough. Another possibility is that the thermostat has lost its connection to the heat pump. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, you’ll need experts to repair or replace it.
Other repair needs
There are several other, less common malfunctions in a heat pump that will cause it to lose its cooling ability. If you can’t tell what’s wrong with your heat pump, talk to us and we’ll send a technician to your house to inspect the unit. We can find what’s wrong and see that it’s fixed.
Trust to Carolina Climate Control for your heat pumps and air conditioning needs. The Moose Is Loose in Your Neighborhood!
