Is your heat pump relatively new? Have you never had a heat pump before? Or perhaps you’re simply curious, interested in possibly replacing your air conditioner with a heat pump? Whatever the reason, you’ve got questions.
Yes, you can replace an AC system with a heat pump, but they aren’t the same, are they? Do they have different components? Do they have different maintenance needs? Do air conditioners and heat pumps have the same problems and require the same repairs, or are there differences? We’ve got the answers you’re seeking.
How Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Work
Both of these systems have an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. Indoors, there’s a blower fan and motor to power it, so it can push the air through your ductwork and out your vents. Outdoors, there’s a compressor which forces the flow of the refrigerant. And back and forth between the two, the refrigerant flows through a system of coils.
In an air conditioner, the flow is always in the same direction. The refrigerant carries heat from indoors to be released from the outdoor unit. In a heat pump, the flow can be reversed. It can work just like an air conditioner. Or, it can carry heat from outdoors to be released from the indoor unit and distributed through your ducts.
How Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Break
The vast majority of the components are the same between the two systems. Many of the same things can go wrong. A clogged air filter can choke off the airflow. An overheating motor can burn out. A loose component can rattle itself free and clatter around inside the unit, damaging other parts. A section of coil can experience wear or breakage, allowing refrigerant to leak out.
There is one problem a heat pump can experience that an air conditioner will not, which is getting stuck in heating mode and being unable to switch to cooling. This occurs when the reversing valve isn’t reversing.
A solenoid, a type of electromagnet, needs electrical flow to push a slider from one position to another. A failed solenoid, disconnected electrical wire, or incorrect signal from the thermostat can cause the reversing valve to stay put in the non-charged position, which is the setting for heat. This will necessitate heat pump repair in Washington, DC.
Signs of a Heat Pump in Need of Repair
One of the first indicators of a heat pump (or air conditioner) needing repair is a strange noise. Rattle, bang, boom, whistle, hiss, bubble, click, buzz: anything you don’t ordinarily hear from your system is cause for concern. Heat pumps can also make odd smells, like overheating plastic, mildew, vinegar, chemicals, or fish. Any of these require urgent attention.
Then there are performance concerns. If the system is turning on and off more rapidly than it should, that’s called short cycling, and it means something needs prompt repair. If you can’t get your home to your target temperature, or if you have hot spots where the cool air never seems to reach, you need repair. And finally, if you notice an unexplained increase in your electric bill, your heat pump is a prime suspect.
If you’re concerned about your heat pump, we’re happy to help.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you have about heat pumps.