Out of the blue, your heat pump just stopped working. What do you do? Call someone in to repair it? Maybe, but don’t jump the gun. It’s possible the problem could be a minor issue that, with a little bit of troubleshooting, you can fix yourself. Here are four steps you should take before you call a professional. Even if you can’t fix the problem yourself, these may give you a clue as to what’s wrong, and help your HVAC technician find the problem more quickly.
- Check the power switch. This may seem obvious, but many people don’t think of it. If your heat pump has a power switch, either on the unit itself or on the wall nearby, make sure it’s turned on.
- Check the circuit breaker. There should be one circuit for the air handler, and another for the condenser. See if either of them has been tripped. Reset the circuits by flipping them off, then back on again.
- Check the thermostat. Make sure it’s on the proper comfort settings. If the thermostat is electronic and takes batteries, replace them. If you recently replaced your thermostat, make sure that the new one is specifically designed for heat pumps. It may also be wired incorrectly, in which case you should call an electrician.
- Check the air handler cabinet. Most heat pumps have a separate electrical element there, for supplemental heat. Look for any obvious problems, such as a tripped circuit or blown fuse. Do NOT attempt to work with the electrical elements yourself. They can be very dangerous, unless you have had electrical training. Call an HVAC technician and tell him what the problem is.
These are just a few of the many things that can go wrong with your heat pump. If your problem is something not covered here, such as your unit turning on but not cooling or heating your home, it freezes up, or it’s making strange noises, call our experts. We’ll be happy to give you further advice.
Contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.We have more than 50 years of experience providing HVAC solutions to the Lorain area. We also serve Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area