What to Do If Your Heat Pump Is Struggling to Heat

The last thing you want to happen during the middle of winter is your heat pump struggling to heat your home. Several issues can cause your heat pump to fail, from inadequate airflow or power loss to a thermostat problem. Call the HVAC professional at Comfort Specialists for 24/7 service if you experience any issues with your heat pump.

Comfort Specialists is a heating and air conditioning company in Morris County, NJ, that can help fix your heat pump any time of the day or night. Our technicians are up to date with all certifications and licensing, and they all have years of experience working on all types of heat pumps and HVAC systems. If you notice your heat pump is no longer heating your home properly, call or text (973) 310-7187 today to schedule a consultation.

Common Causes and Solutions When Your Heat Pump Begins to Fail

Your heat pump can help keep you warm and toasty in the winter and cool during the hot summer months. Heat pumps are a single unit that works by reversing the flow of refrigerant to either heat or cool your home. Heat pumps offer a more cost-effective method of keeping you and your family comfortable all year long.

There are several signs you can look for that point to a potential problem with your heat pump. Colder than normal heat, improper airflow, and increasing energy bills are all signs that point to a problem with your heat pump.

Your Thermostat

When you first notice a problem with your heating, start with checking your thermostat. If the battery indicator is blinking, replace the batteries and make sure the unit isn’t off by accident. If your thermostat says 72 degrees and it feels more like 68, get a digital indoor thermometer to test each room and compare it with the thermostat.

An HVAC professional can come out and inspect your thermostat to find out why it is not heating your home. There may be an issue with the programming or settings that they can adjust and test, ensuring you stay warm throughout the winter.

Air Ducts Are Closed or Clogged

Another potential cause of varying temperature in your home is your air ducts. They can become clogged over time and affect the airflow into different parts of your home. You can perform a simple check on your air vents to ensure nothing is blocking the airflow.

With your heat pump running at a set temperature, get a flashlight and a sturdy step ladder to make sure your vents are fully open. Use the flashlight to see if anything is clogging the vents and remove any obstructions you can reach. If you cannot see any clogs and still do not feel any airflow, call Comfort Specialists to come out and clean your air ducts and ensure your heat pump is working properly.

Power Failure

Winter storms can sometimes knock out your power for a few minutes to several hours. If the power is out for too long in below-freezing temperatures, this can lead to your evaporator coils freezing. An external power supply can help prevent your heat pump from freezing over if you lose power and the temperatures are well below freezing.

If you lose power and your heat pump does not automatically come back on, check the circuit breakers and reset the breaker for your heat pump. Often this will restore power without having to pay a costly repair bill.

Reversing Valve Is Stuck

Your heat pump also provides you with cool air during the summer months. This dual function is possible with the reversing valve. If this valve gets stuck, your heat pump may not be able to heat your home. The only way to fix a stuck reversing valve is by calling an HVAC professional to come out and repair your heat pump.

Low Refrigerant Levels

The refrigerant in your heat pump is what makes the heat exchange possible. Typically, refrigerant should last up to 15 years, but if there is a leak, it can affect the efficiency of your heat pump. If your heat pump is struggling to heat your home, a refrigerant leak could be the cause.

Remove any snow or ice around your heat pump and check for any signs of a leak. Do not try to replace the refrigerant on your own as it requires a specific type, and adding the wrong refrigerant may damage your heat pump further.

Outside Temperatures Are Too Cold

Heat pumps work best in climates that do not see many days below freezing. They draw in air from the outside to heat and cool your home, but when that air is super cold, your heat pump will begin to struggle to keep your home warm.

On those cold wintery nights, turn down your thermostat to the normal set temperature and grab your favorite comfy socks and thermal PJs. Snuggle up with the family under a weighted blanket in front of the TV. Start a fire and have an impromptu slumber party.

The US is experiencing harsh winters with heavy storms and colder than average temperatures. If your heat pump is struggling to keep up even on average days, it will be unable to keep up when the temperature drops. Call Comfort Specialists today to evaluate your current heat pump and recommend any heat pump repair or replacement to improve the efficiency of heating and cooling your home.

Comfort Specialists Can Help When Your Heat Pump Struggles to Heat Your Home

At Comfort Specialists in Morris County, NJ, we have years of experience working with all types of heat pumps and HVAC systems. We can help with service and repair of your heat pump and provide you with top-quality installation service for all state-of-the-art heating and HVAC systems.

To read more about heat pumps and recognize the signs that your heat pump is struggling to heat your home, call or text the experts at Comfort Specialists today at (973) 310-7187. We can take care of all your heating and cooling needs in Morris County, NJ.