When it comes to heating and cooling systems, your heat pump works hard to keep your space at the right temperature.
Unlike air conditioners, the outdoor unit on heat pumps doesn’t get the season off when the temperatures drop in Heflin. There’s no indoor furnace unit to take over.
Instead, your heat pump works all year to keep your home cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. That constant effort can lead to the need for repairs.
If that time does occur, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc is happy to help. We can work on any heat pump—no matter the model or brand. We work hard to make your house comfortable again as soon as possible.
Customer satisfaction, efficiency and safety are our top concerns. We’re happy to demonstrate when you trust us with your home comfort.
Reasons for Heat Pump Damage
There are quite a few things that can cause trouble for your heat pump. Here are some of the most experienced issues:
- Absence of maintenance. Like you, your heat pump needs to be taken care of to remain in good shape. You have a yearly checkup. Your heat pump has yearly maintenance. You should call in an HVAC expert twice a year to help your system stay on track. Without maintenance, you’re putting your system at risk for a breakdown.
- Clogged filters. One of the simplest ways to keep your heat pump alright is to frequently check and change your air filter. If you ignore it, your system has to work harder to keep you comfortable. Working overtime like that can lead to damage, and later, a repair.
- Component failure. Your heat pump is made of quite a few parts—both moving and stationary. They’re all critical to heating and cooling your home efficiently. When one stops working, it can make it hard—or impossible—for your system to carry on without a repair.
- Thermostat problems. Your thermostat is a delicate instrument. Any problem with it could make your home less comfortable.
Signals Your Heat Pump Needs to Be Repaired
Now that you know some of the usual causes of heat pump damage, it might be helpful to hear how those concerns make themselves known. Here are some prevalent signs something is wrong with your heat pump:
- Your outdoor unit is covered in ice. During the winter, it’s possible that your outdoor unit will have a little ice buildup. When this happens, your unit should move into a defrost cycle and reverse the refrigerant to melt the ice. If your entire unit is covered in ice and won’t defrost, you have a problem that needs professional attention.
- Your system is short cycling. By short cycling, we mean that your heat pump starts and stops before it’s had time to bring your home to your desired temperature. This is a sign that your heat pump is incorrectly sized for your home. And if it isn’t taken care of, it could wear your heat pump down.
- Your energy bills are climbing. Your heat pump is one of the most efficient HVAC solutions available—especially if you take care of it. If you’re doing everything you can to take care of it and are still seeing your energy costs climb, it’s time to bring ina professional.
- Your heat pump is getting noisy. Your heat pump isn’t going to be absolutely silent, but it also shouldn’t be noticeably noisy. If you’re hearing new sounds from your heat pump—especially any that sound out of place—you may want to have a professional take a look.
- Your heating or cooling seems weaker. Lower home comfort is maybe the most obvious—and annoying—sign you may need a repair. If you’ve tried changing your setting and nothing seems to work, Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc can help.
Repair or Replace: How to Choose
When your heat pump breaks down, it seems only natural to call for a repair. But sometimes, a repair isn’t worth the money. In those times, a replacement is a better option. Here are some factors that can help you decide if a repair is a better option:
- Your heat pump is younger than 10 years old. If your heat pump is still relatively young, a repair likely makes sense. It still has a lot of life left in it. However, if your heat pump is up there in years, a replacement might make more financial sense.
- You haven’t repaired your heat pump a bunch of times. If a repair on your system is a relatively rare occurrence, you may want to follow through with the repair. If you feel like you’ve been repairing your unit pretty often, it might be time to think about a replacement.
- Your needed repair is small. If a technician can take care of your issue fast and the price is relatively low, a repair is probably your best choice. But if your repair will take you for quite a bit—like replacing your heat pump’s compressor—it’s likely better to put that money into a new heat pump that will serve you for a lot longer.
A Bain Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc technician can walk you through all your options and help you decide if repair or replacement makes more sense for your system. No matter what you need, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 256-270-1196 or make an appointment with us online.