Serving Richardson, Plano, Allen 
Heat pumps are unique among HVAC units in that they’re the only type that can provide both air conditioning and heating. That’s definitely a good thing since it means you only have to pay to install one unit. The only issue is that it means a heat pump gets far more use every year since it runs both during the summer and winter instead of only one or the other. As a result of the increased workload, heat pumps typically have a shorter life expectancy than other cooling or heating units. They can also be prone to breaking down more frequently and needing more repairs throughout their life.
In terms of how often you may need to repair your heat pump, it’s really impossible to say since it depends on factors like where you live and how often you have the unit maintained. In this article, we’ll look at some of the issues that can indicate your heat pump needs repairs and also how regular maintenance can help reduce the need for repairs.
Common Heat Pump Issues to Watch Out For
One of the most common issues that can happen to a heat pump is that its reversing valve ends up giving out or getting stuck in one position. The reversing valve is what allows a heat pump to heat as well as cool. When the valve activates, it switches the direction that the refrigerant flows through the system so that the unit can either remove heat from inside to cool the house or pull heat in from outside to heat the house. Whenever a heat pump is heating and the outdoor temperature is under 40 degrees, the valve will activate occasionally to enable the heat pump to temporarily run its defrost cycle. If the reversing valve in your heat pump fails or gets stuck, it will prevent you from being able to switch between cooling and heating modes. It can also make it so that the heat pump can’t defrost or suddenly can’t switch back to heating mode after completing the defrost cycle.
There are also situations in which a heat pump can start making unusual noises, which generally always indicate that the unit needs some type of repairs. One sound to watch out for is screeching or squealing. This sound usually means that the bearings that drive the compressor motor or the condenser fan motor are beginning to wear out and need to be replaced. In this situation, you want to have the bearings replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, the motor itself can end up burning out and you’ll be forced to pay for a much more costly repair.
Other things to watch for are if your heat pump stops cooling or heating effectively or cycles on and off more often than it normally does. These issues can occur for a variety of reasons, so it’s difficult to say exactly what the problem is without a professional inspection. When dealing with either situation, you should schedule an inspection as soon as you can or else further issues will likely arise that can lead to your heat pump needing additional repairs.
How Regular Maintenance Can Lessen a Heat Pump’s Repair Needs
The fact that you rely on your heat pump for both cooling and heating means you should always have it professionally serviced and inspected twice a year. This includes once in the spring before you need to run your AC unit, and then again in the fall when the weather starts cooling down. A tune-up service helps to ensure that a heat pump is working effectively. The reason this matters in terms of potential repair needs is that a heat pump will experience increased wear and tear whenever it isn’t working as effectively as it should. This increased wear and tear can then lead to certain components giving out and also shorten your heat pump’s lifespan.
Regular inspections also enable you to catch any issues your heat pump has before they potentially lead to additional issues. Even fairly minor issues can put additional strain on a heat pump and potentially lead to it overheating or experiencing other problems that can cause further damage.
The other major benefit of regular maintenance is that it helps to keep your cooling and heat costs lower. That’s because a poorly maintained heat pump won’t ever work as efficiently and will also work less effectively.
At Cool Experts AC, we provide reliable air conditioning and heating services to residential and commercial customers in Richardson, Plano, and the surrounding areas. If you need any maintenance or repair services or indoor air quality services, our experienced team can work on any make, model, or type of HVAC unit. If you need to have your heat pump inspected or require any other indoor comfort service, contact us today.
