A heat pump works harder in a Halden winter than almost anywhere else it's installed, and the problems we see follow the weather: a defrost board or sensor that doesn't clear ice from the outdoor coil, a reversing valve stuck between heating and cooling, and backup heat strips running all day because a setting or sensor is wrong.
Your technician checks refrigerant pressures in heating mode, tests the defrost cycle, checks the reversing valve and outdoor sensors, and looks at the thermostat's backup-heat settings. Many 'the heat pump isn't working' calls are actually settings, and those are cheap to fix.
If your heat pump fails in winter, your backup heat will keep the house warm. Switch the thermostat to Emergency Heat and call us. You won't freeze, but your electric bill will climb until it's fixed.
Signs you need this
- The outdoor unit is covered in a solid block of ice
- Cold air from vents in heating mode
- Your electric bill doubled in a month
- The thermostat shows 'Aux heat' or 'Emergency heat' most of the day
- Loud whooshing or clanking when the unit switches modes
How it works
Switch to emergency heat
If it's cold, set the thermostat to Emergency Heat so backup keeps you warm.
Diagnose
$89 flat. Defrost, reversing valve, refrigerant, sensors and thermostat settings.
Repair and verify
Written price first. We test in heating mode and force a defrost cycle before leaving.
Common questions
Is some ice on the outdoor unit normal?
A light frost that clears every 30–90 minutes, yes. A solid block that doesn't clear means the defrost cycle isn't working.
Why is my heat pump steaming?
That's the defrost cycle melting frost off the coil. It's normal and usually lasts 2–10 minutes.
Can you fix a brand you didn't install?
Yes. We service every major brand, ducted and ductless.