Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Tag: Heat Pump Repair

heat pump

If you use a heat pump to keep your home warm and cozy throughout the coldest time of the year, then we certainly hope that it is meeting—nay, exceeding!—your expectations so far this winter. If this is not the case, then don’t just tell yourself that you’ll deal with the problem once the winter season has come to a close. You wouldn’t limp along the last few miles of a marathon with a sprained ankle just because it wasn’t actually broken, right?

While your heat pump may be up and running, the problems it is experiencing may still indicate that there is a serious issue in need of attention. Failing to give those issues the attention they need straightaway could result in serious damages to your system, as well as a slew of other issues including reduced energy efficiency and subpar heating output. So read on, keep these potential issues in mind, and remember that our technicians can determine the precise nature of the problem with your heat pump in Wellington, CO.

Specific Problems That Your Heat Pump Might Face

  • There’s ice on my heat pump! Well, it is winter, so there’s likely going to be ice all over the place, right? Well, maybe, but your heat pump should not be encased in it. Make sure that your heat pump is not poorly located right beneath dripping water from window eaves or anything like that. If not, remember that some icing is actually normal, which is why the heat pump has an automatic defrost cycle. If the system is becoming encased in ice, though, give us a call ASAP!
  • My system is running in short bursts! Well, at least it’s still heating the house, just in an erratic manner.  That can’t be too bad, right? That depends on how you view excessive wear and tear and increased heating costs with reduced efficiency. We’re guessing, through that lens, you’d call it “pretty bad.” You may just need to replace a very dirty air filter that is causing the system to overheat by reducing airflow.  This can actually cause the icing mentioned earlier, too. However, there is onr more problem that can be blamed for such issues, and it’s a doozy …
  • Your heat pump is leaking refrigerant! Well, it might be, anyway. Refrigerant leaks can cause icing, short cycling, reduced efficiency, and a drop in heating output, which means that any such problem should be taken seriously, even if the actual cause is not that serious. Why? Because running a system with a refrigerant leak for too long can, without exaggeration, actually destroy the system. Don’t ignore any potential signs of refrigerant leaks.

Get the Heat Pump Performance  That You Deserve

Ultimately, you shouldn’t have to use fear as a motivator to have your heat pump repaired promptly. This is your heating system, and it is integral to your comfort. That alone is cause enough for concern when even “minor” issues develop.

Schedule your heat pump services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning—the company you can trust.

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Heat Pump Problems

The heat pump is becoming a more and more popular option among homeowners in the market for new HVAC systems. It is not hard to understand why, considering heat pumps can function as effective air conditioners and also as highly efficient heating systems. What is a bit harder to understand for some users, however, is how this is even possible. The answer is that a heat pump is able to reverse its refrigeration cycle.

Because the refrigerant in these systems serves such an important purpose in both the heating and cooling process, it should be obvious that any issues with the refrigerant in the system are a serious problem. Refrigerant is not consumed by a heat pump, but rather operates in a closed loop and is just cycled through the system over and over. That means that low refrigerant levels indicate a leak, and that could spell big trouble for your heat pump in Loveland, CO.

 

How the Refrigerant Cycle Works

Refrigerant is such a great heat transfer fluid because it changes with ease from a liquid to a gas and back again. When cooling a home, refrigerant is evaporated in the indoor or evaporator coil. In a central AC this coil always performs this function, but heat pumps are able to flip the operation. As the refrigerant evaporates it absorbs heat from the air passing over the coil. Then it heads outdoors.

There, in the condenser coil, the refrigerant is condensed. This allows it to release its heat. The process is simply repeated over and over until the desired temperature is met. A heat pump can reverse the direction the refrigerant flows in, evaporating it outdoors and compressing it in order to heat a home. The warm refrigerant is then condensed in the indoor coil, which allows it to release its heat for use throughout the house.

Spotting Refrigerant Leaks

Have you noticed that your energy costs are starting to spike even though you haven’t been using your system any more than is normal? Is it taking longer and longer for your heat pump to adjust temperatures to the desired level, causing it to work much harder than it should have to? Is your system running in short bursts, overheating and short cycling? If so, then you may well have a refrigerant leak.

You may actually be able to hear refrigerant escaping from your refrigerant lines, as the pressurized gas can cause a hissing sound as it escapes the system. In the winter, your heat pump may ice over if refrigerant is low as well, and you may simply not be comfortable in your home.

Forcing your heat pump to run with a low refrigerant charge does not just result in decreased comfort and increased usage costs. It can also result in irreparable damage to the compressor. In that event, you’re likely going to be looking at a full replacement. If you suspect that you have a refrigerant leak, contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning right away.

Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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There are a lot of reasons to consider using a heat pump in order to keep your home comfortable. These systems are very efficient, quite reliable, and offer homeowners the convenience of both heating and cooling their homes with just one system. As great as heat pumps are, though, you must remember that there is no such thing as a perfect or 100% reliable mechanical system. At some point, you are going to encounter operational problems of some sort with your heat pump. When you do, we recommend that you contact a member of our team immediately. The sooner that any necessary heat pump repairs in Fort Collins, CO are completed, the better off your system is likely to be. Give Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning a call if you notice any sign of trouble. 

  • Reduced Energy Efficiency: Heat pumps are renowned for the efficiency with which they heat homes. Existing heat is utilized in the process, so only a very small amount of energy is required. Heat pumps cool homes quite efficiently as well, though, so any drop in efficiency levels should be considered cause for concern. If the cost of running your heat pump spikes with no obvious cause, you may have a problem requiring professional repair services.
  • Stuck in a Mode: Your heat pump uses a component called the reversing valve in order to reverse the flow of its refrigerant cycle. If your system is not switching over from its heating to cooling mode, or vice versa, the reversing valve could be damaged. This is a major problem, obviously, so contact us as soon as you realize your system won’t switch operating modes.
  • Icing: When you run an air conditioning system, you may not give the development of ice much thought. After all, you are using that system to cool your home, right? Well, the problem with this is that your AC, heat pumps included, should never develop ice. This is not a sign that the system is really working in order to cool your home. Instead, it could bet the result of poor airflow, refrigerant leaks, or other problems.
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Because heat pumps run year-round, it is likely that at some point your heat pump in Windsor, CO will need repair. This isn’t because your heat pump isn’t a sound device; it’s simply because heat pumps offer both heating and cooling, and as a result, operate twice as much as individual heating and cooling systems. There are some repairs that our Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning technicians see more than others, and to give you an idea of what these repairs are, we’ve listed them out below.

Common Heat Pump Repairs

It’s always recommended that your heating system be maintained and repaired by a trained technician, and your heat pump is no different. Here are some of the more common repairs you may see with a heat pump system:

Compressor Issues

The compressor is responsible for compressing the refrigerant in your system. As such, it operates under a great deal of stress. Like your heat pump system, the compressor is made to work with an exact amount of refrigerant. Should the refrigerant level be too low or too high, the compressor can overwork and also overheat. Other common problems that can develop are issues with the capacitors and problems with the motor. The compressor can be complex and may require full replacement, so it’s best to have a professional handle all issues with your compressor.

Stuck Reversing Valve

The reversing valve is the component that allows your heat pump to offer both heating and cooling. The valve slides back and forth in order to change modes, but sometimes it can get stuck and won’t move. A reversing valve can become stuck in a specific mode (heating or cooling) or in between. Sometimes a reversing valve can be repaired, but sometimes it may need to be replaced.

Refrigerant Leaks

As mentioned above, there is a set amount of refrigerant in your system. Refrigerant facilitates the transfer of heat, so having the correct amount in your system is critical to operation. Refrigerant leaks can develop in a number of places, and finding a leak can be challenging. Additionally, refrigerant leaks can only be handled by certified technicians. Refrigerant leaks should be repaired right away as they can cause multiple problems for your system.

If you need heat pump repair in Windsor, CO, call the people you can count on: Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

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A heat pump or hybrid heat pump takes care of your needs for comfort throughout the year: strong cooling during the summer, effective heating in the winter. But you can’t expect a heat pump to last forever, especially when you consider how much work it needs to perform throughout the year. Proper annual maintenance from a professional will help a heat pump last as long as possible, but eventually you will need to consider replacing it with a new system. We’re here to help you identify the warning signs that it’s time for a heat pump replacement in Loveland, CO.

You need an experienced team to handle the new heat pump installation.

You will find few companies with more experience in heat pump installation than Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served Northern Colorado with comfort since 1934.

Warning signs of an ailing heat pump

  • Reduced heating and cooling ability: Because a heat pump uses the same operation to work as a heater and an air conditioner, when it begins to fail, both modes will suffer. If you have a heat pump that is over older than 15 years, or if it has gone beyond its manufacturer’s expected lifespan, and it begins to struggle reaching the temperatures you set for it, then it’s time to call a professional to look into replacement options.
  • Elevated electrical bills: The heat pump probably uses more electricity per year than any other appliance in your home. When the heat pump reaches the point where it will no longer function as well as before, it will cause your electrical bills to begin to rise. If no amount of repairs can bring these bills down, it’s time to retire the heat pump.
  • Too many repair bills: Most home comfort systems require the majority of their repairs during the final two years of their service, so when the repairs for your heat pump start arriving on a regular basis, it’s a strong sign that the system is near its end. Look over your repair bills for the past year, and if they exceed $500, it is no longer worth the money to keep it running.
  • Noisy operation: A single odd sound from a heat pump can point toward a repair need. But when the heat pump starts to make more noise in general to do its job, with groaning, rattling, and other mechanical sounds, then you should have it checked to see if it needs replacement.

If you feel nervous about making a definitive choice about your heat pump, don’t worry: you can always call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment with one of our NATE-certified technicians. Our staff will help you make the best choice. If it turns out that you need a heat pump replacement in Loveland, CO, trust to our experience to perform the job so you will have a system that will heat and cool your home for many years.

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Why is there frost on my heat pump?” It seems counter-intuitive, but it’s one of the most common issues faced with heat pump repair in Bellvue. Heat pumps work reasonably well in Colorado, especially when combined into a hybrid unit to help it carry the load on those cold winter nights. But problems can always arise, and frost build-up is one of them. To understand how it is created, it is important to understand how heat pumps work.

Heat pumps cycle refrigerant to help warm and cool the air. The frost issue usually occurs at the evaporator coils, where liquid refrigerant returns to a gaseous state and pulls heat out of the surrounding air in the process. Heat pumps usually have two sets of coils, one indoor and one outdoor. In the summer, the indoor coils serve as the evaporator in order to cool the air. In the winter, the outdoor coils perform that function, releasing the cool air outside instead of in your home.

That process requires specific amounts of refrigerant to work; the exact amount depends on the precise brand and model of your heat pump. If the refrigerant levels are too low – usually because a leak has sprung up in the system – then the process is knocked off kilter and frost shows up on the coils. That frost represents lost cooling potential that is stuck on the surface of the coils instead of moving into your house (or safely out of the system in the winter). Moreover, it serves as an insulator between the refrigerant and the air it’s trying to cool, further restricting the process.

Unfortunately, you can’t just scrape the ice off and expect it to get better. The problem lies with the lower levels of refrigerant and besides, scraping the ice off may damage the coils. Fortunately, a trained expert can hunt down the source of the leak and seal it before recharging refrigerant levels to their required levels. If you’re asking “why is there frost on my heat pump?” then the professionals at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to help. We handle heat pump repair in Bellvue, and our staff is well trained in dealing with refrigerant leaks. Call us today to set up a repair session!

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