The purpose of the heat pump is to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Their effectiveness and energy-efficiency are the main reasons that heat pumps are so popular among homeowners in Texas. To fully reap the benefits of a heat pump, homeowners need to have regular inspections performed and treat all identified heat pump issues immediately.
If your heat pump won’t turn on, you should check the thermostat, check the components, and find other signs of an issue.
Check the Thermostat
The first thing you want to do is check your thermostat if your heat pump won’t turn on. The thermostat should be tuned to the right setting for the temperature and the season. For example, if you want your heat pump to make your home warmer in the colder months, you should be sure your thermostat is set to “heat.”
If you recently replaced or repaired your thermostat, it’s possible that an issue with the installation process is keeping it from turning on. One reason for this could be because you purchased the wrong type of thermostat. Not all thermostats are compatible with heat pumps, so you need to buy a thermostat that was made for use with heat pumps. Another possibility is that the thermostat wasn’t wired properly. An improperly wired thermostat can lead to fried electronic components, which will stop the heat pump from turning on.
Once you’ve checked the settings and the wiring of the thermostat, you want to confirm that the thermostat is sending an “on” signal. A skilled HVAC technician will be able to help you determine whether the thermostat is sending that signal.
Check the Components of the Heat Pump
After checking the thermostat, you want to take a look at all the major components of your heating system. If a part is damaged or malfunctioning, it could cause the heat pump to not turn on.
Ensure you have a power switch connected to the heat pump, and be certain that it’s receiving power. Check if the circuit breakers have been tripped. Next, check the subpanels, which supply power to the heat pump, as well as the main electrical panel. You can reset the circuit breakers by flipping the switch off and then on.
Start by resetting the circuit breaker if the heat pump’s fan won’t work. If resetting the circuit breakers doesn’t work, you should contact an HVAC contractor to help you find the issue. Your contractor may need to replace the fuses or put the circuit breaker in the closed position to identify the cause of the malfunction. Some possibilities include a shorted controller board, a bad connection, and a seized blower motor. If both the circuit and the fuse are fine, the wiring may be the issue. The contractor may tighten and repair the wires.
If the fan is running, you should try tampering with the settings of the thermostat. Set the thermostat to emergency heat and check if the vents are emitting warm air. The thermostat should be about 5 degrees above the temperature within your home for this little test. The outdoor unit obviously has an issue if it’s emitting warm air. The air handler or the thermostat could be the issue if you don’t feel warm air.
Identify Other Signs of Issues
If you’re still having a hard time determining why your heat pump won’t turn on, you should try to identify other signs of a problem. Some of these signs include humming noises, leaking, and irregular functioning. For example, if you are able to turn on the heat pump but it shuts off after a short time, this may be a sign that a major component within is malfunctioning. Identifying these signs will make it easier for an HVAC contractor to find the issue with your heat pump and resolve it as soon as possible.
Chances are, you will run into a problem with your heat pump at some point. For more information about what you should do if your heat pump won’t turn on, don’t hesitate to contact a skilled technician from Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating by calling 888-414-4655.
