Heat pumps are unique and innovative appliances that operate differently than a furnace and air conditioner combo. With a furnace and air conditioner, the furnace provides hot air during the winter, and the AC provides cold air during the summer. However, with a heat pump system, the heat pump offers both hot and cold air, depending on your needs.
How It Works in Cooling Mode
When in cooling mode, a heat pump works the same way as an air conditioner. There are coils inside the heat pump that has refrigerant flowing through it. The refrigerant flows from the outside heat pump to the air handler, which sits where a furnace would usually sit, and cools the air that's flowing inside of it. The cool air is then sent throughout the air duct system and distributed in your home.
When a heat pump is in cooling or air conditioning mode, there's very little to no difference between a heat pump and a furnace/air conditioner.
How It Works in Heating Mode
Where heat pumps differ significantly from furnaces and air conditioners is in heating mode. In heating mode, the outside heat pump and the indoor air handler essentially reverse their duties. The heat pump sucks in air and, rather than making it extremely cold, the heat pump heats it up. This hot air then gets distributed throughout your home in the same way that cold air does.
If you're interested in having a heat pump installed in your home, contact us at 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo. We can provide you with top-notch service and, if necessary, replacement of your heat pump.
Common Heat Pump Services
Because of the different capabilities and duties of a heat pump, there are many different problems that can occur. Let's take a look at some of the most common issues that heat pumps can encounter as well as why they occur.
Compressor Issues
The compressor on your heat pump is one of its most integral components. The compressor's job is to pressurize refrigerant and keep it moving throughout the heat pump system. If your compressor isn't working correctly, the refrigerant will not flow as it should, and you'll have difficulty reaching the desired temperature inside your home.
Indoor or Outdoor Coil Problems
Both the outdoor heat pump and the indoor air handler are equipped with a series of coils or pipes that the refrigerant is flowing through. The coils inside your home and outside of it are connected via a pair of copper pipes. The refrigerant flows from the outdoor coil, through the copper pipes, and into the indoor coil. If there are problems with either set of coils, a refrigerant leak or blockage could result, and your heat pump system won't work correctly.
Reversing Valve Replacement
The reversing valve located in the heat pump allows it to generate both cold and hot air, depending on what time of year it is. If there's a problem with the reversing valve, your heat pump will fail to produce cold air, warm air, or both.
Condenser Fan Motor Issues
The condenser fan is located on the outside heat pump and is responsible for blowing air over the top of the coils. The air is what is responsible for beginning the heat exchange that produces either hot or cold air.
Expansion Valve Replacement
The job of the expansion valve is to act as a metering device, which regulates the flow of refrigerant throughout your heat pump. The expansion valve increases or decreases the pressure of the refrigerant flow, which raises or lowers the temperature depending on what your needs are.
Things You Can do Yourself
While each of the above problems requires the repair skills of the professionals at 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo, there are a few things that you can do yourself to keep your heat pump running smoothly.
Keep Your Coils Clean
An essential part of keeping your system running smoothly is to make sure that your indoor and outdoor coils stay clean. To do that, simply turn your system off and hose down the inside and outside coils with a low-pressure hose. Doing this once a year is a good way to keep your heat pump healthy.
Keep Debris Away From Your Heat Pump
Because your heat pump is located outside, it's prone to damage from trees and weeds. Make sure that you don't plant any bushes, trees, or shrubs near your heat pump that could eventually cause damage.
Periodically Inspect the Pipes Inside and Outside Your Home
If you notice that ice starts to build upon the copper pipes near your heat pump or air handler, you should immediately contact 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo. You likely have a refrigerant leak or blockage that only a professional can repair.
How to Know if Your Heat Pump Needs to be Serviced
If you notice any of the following issues, it's time to call in the pros for help.
Ice building up on the coils or refrigerant pipes inside or outside your home.
Warm air blowing when your heat pump system is set to Cooling Mode.
Your heat pump or air handler starts making strange noises.
Your heat pump is running, but you notice little to no air coming out of your registers.
Who to Call for Heat Pump Services
If you notice any of the above problems or any other strange things happening with your heat pump, you should immediately call a service professional. If you're located in Amarillo, Texas, look no further than 1-800-Plumber + Air & Electric of Amarillo. Our technicians have the skills, qualifications, and experience necessary to tackle any heat pump problems. Don't find yourself without heat or air conditioning when you need it most, and don't make the mistake of trying to fix major problems by yourself.
