A heat pump nearing the end of its useful lifespan is likely to present more and more problems as time goes on. Here are some quick tips on heat pump troubleshooting and what you can do to get the system working again before calling for professional repair.

• Failure to operate: Make sure the heat pump is plugged into an electricity source and is receiving power. Check the circuit breakers at the main panel and on the heat pump itself to ensure breakers haven’t been tripped. Reset any tripped breakers and try to turn on the system again.
• Insufficient, erratic or improper cooling: Check the thermostat to ensure it has been set to an appropriate temperature and that the system’s controls are set for the correct mode, either heating or cooling. Check the system’s air filter to see if it’s dirty. If filters are clogged or dirty, change them immediately. Dirty filters can be a prime source of HVAC system malfunctions and breakdowns. Some heat pumps employ reusable filters, which should be cleaned regularly.
• Unusual or unexpected noises: Check covers, access doors and other potentially loose components to make sure they’re not producing rattling sounds. Check ductwork for sounds made by thermal expansion and contraction. Make sure that household sounds aren’t being conducted from other areas of your home.
• Cycling problems: If your heat pump is switching off and on at inappropriate times, make sure the thermostat is working and that it isn’t in a location where it can’t get an accurate reading of the indoor temperature. Check the filter and change if it’s blocked or dirty.
• Airflow problems: Make sure registers and vents aren’t blocked and that dampers in the ductwork system haven’t been closed. Check the blower to make sure it’s working and moving air from the unit and into the ductwork.

Since the company was founded in 1978, Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating has served the heating and cooling needs of customers in Allen, Dallas, McKinney, Plano and many surrounding Texas communities. Contact us today for more information on heat pump troubleshooting and what to do when your heat pump isn’t working like you expect.