Cleaning Your HVAC System

Posted on: 17 January 2023

A heat pump is vital during the cold months as it extracts thermal energy from your exterior and transfers it to your home for indoor comfort. However, your heat pump can malfunction and give out unexpectedly. When this happens, it can lead to high energy bills and costly repairs to restore system operation. Therefore, you should engage a heating system service contractor to identify and remedy the cause of the malfunction for improved indoor comfort. The following are the reasons your heat pump is malfunctioning.

Heat Pump Blows Cold Air in Heat Mode 

You must ensure your system is in heating and not cooling mode. Once you establish the right setting and notice cold air, the heat pump's defrost cycle could be faulty. As a result, the condenser coil can freeze, hindering heat transfer. On the other hand, clogged filters can restrict air flow, affecting the unit's performance. This may result in the system straining to provide an average heating output, causing it to overheat. If this is the case, call a heating repair service to rectify the defrost cycle, replace filters, and reverse valves for proper airflow.

Weird Noises

It is normal to hear humming sounds as electricity passes through the heat pump's coils and contractors. However, if these sounds translate into loud noises, your heating appliance is malfunctioning. For example, you will hear clicking noises when the starter capacitor fails. In addition, rattling noises indicate loose parts, whereas shrieking noises point to dry motor bearings. To restore quiet operation, you must replace the faulty components or wrap a dampening material around the metallic parts to minimize vibrations.

Heat Pump Not Turning On

If you set a warmer temperature than the current room temperature, your heat pump will not turn on. Furthermore, the wrong thermostat wiring or an incompatible thermostat can render your system inoperable. On the other hand, restricted airflow can cause your unit to overheat. When this happens, the system's starter capacitor will swell and fail, preventing the heat pump from starting.

Odd Smells

When strange smells linger in your house when the heat pump is operating, your system has an issue. For example, musty smells indicate mold growth within your system due to a clogged condensate drain or leak. Additionally, rotten smells indicate animal infiltration in your ductwork, while burning smells result from electrical malfunctions. So, if you have noticed odd smells as your unit runs, you should call a heating system service expert to fix the underlying issue before it causes a system failure.

In most cases, heat pump malfunctions arise due to a lack of maintenance. Thus, contact heating services for more info.