As the weather warms up and summer inches closer, heat pump owners in Micco, FL, may face a unique set of challenges. Here are four summertime heat pump problems that you can work to prevent this spring:
Leaking Refrigerant
The possibility of refrigerant leaks poses a constant threat to your heat pump, no matter the season. Refrigerant is essential to every heat pump’s ability to perform heat transfer efficiently. If some of it leaks out of your system for any reason, this will likely hinder its performance.
Often, the consequences of a refrigerant leak will manifest as other problems, some of which we discuss in detail below. We emphasize this so that you will always bear in mind the possible connection between refrigerant leaks and other performance issues or bizarre equipment behavior.
Failure to Blow Cold Air
The primary service you’ll require of your heat pump in summer is for it to blow sufficient quantities of cold air into your home. If it fails to do so, it can be incredibly frustrating.
One possible explanation for this failure is that your system doesn’t have enough refrigerant. If this is the case, it won’t be able to pull enough heat out of the air in your home, and as a result, you won’t stay cool.
Another possibility is that there has been some sort of malfunction with your system’s reversing valve. This is an important component that enables heat pumps to reverse the direction in which refrigerant flows, allowing the system to shift back and forth between heating and cooling modes. With a broken reversing valve, your heat pump may get stuck in heating mode.
Yet another possibility is that your system’s air filters have so much debris stuck to them that they have begun restricting airflow. In this situation, even though your heat pump can generate cold air, that air cannot make it into your home. The solution to this problem is to remember to change your air filters at least once every 30 to 90 days.
To tackle the other likely sources of this problem, you will need professional service. When performing maintenance or repairs on your system, an HVAC service technician can refill your system with refrigerant, fix or replace your reversing valve, and clean other components like the compressor to ensure optimal airflow and performance.
Running Constantly
Even if your system does expel cold air, it may still malfunction and push it out constantly. Heat pumps should go through cycles in which they heat or cool your home for a period and then turn off after temperatures reach the desired levels. They should not run continuously unless there are extreme temperatures outside.
If yours seems to run all the time, it may be simply too small for your home. In that case, need to have a professional remove your system and install a larger one that will meet your home’s requirements.
There might also be an issue with your thermostat that causes it to send incorrect signals to your heat pump. Your heat pump may again have problems with low refrigerant, clogged filters and poor airflow.
Short-Cycling Heat Pump
Short-cycling is the opposite problem: Your system turns off before it can complete a full cycle, leading to inadequate heating or cooling. Low refrigerant levels and poor airflow may be behind this issue, too.
Unlike continuously running, however, your heat pump may short cycle because it is too large for your house. Because of its excess size and power, your system may shut down before it completes a full cycle. If so, you must replace it with a smaller one.
Even though summer is still months away, it’s wise to begin preparing for it now. Our team has provided outstanding customer service since 1959. Call Barker Air Conditioning and Heating to get the best heat pump repair services around Micco, FL.
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