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 to rest when the temperatures start to drop in Mechanicsville. There’s no indoor furnace unit to take over.
Instead, your heat pump functions 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 arrive, M & S Heating & Air LLC is happy to help. We can service any heat pump—regardless of model or brand. We work hard to make your space the right temperature 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 issues for your heat pump. Here are some of the most experienced issues:
- Shortage of maintenance. Like you, your heat pump needs to be taken care of to stay in good shape. You have an annual checkup. Your heat pump has seasonal maintenance. You should bring in an HVAC expert twice a year to help your system stay strong. Without maintenance, you’re putting your system at risk for a failure.
- Clogged filters. One of the easiest ways to keep your heat pump working correctly is to frequently check and switch out your air filter. If you let it go, your system has to work harder to keep you comfortable. Running overtime like that can bring about damage, and later, a repair.
- Component failure. Your heat pump is made of a number of parts—both moving and stationary. They’re all crucial to heating and cooling your home efficiently. When one stops working, it can make it challenging—or impossible—for your system to carry on without a repair.
- Thermostat problems. Your thermostat is a precise instrument. Any problem with it could make your house less comfortable.
Signals Your Heat Pump Needs to Be Fixed
Now that you have heard some of the usual causes of heat pump damage, it might be useful to hear how those problems make themselves known. Here are some common signs something is going awry with your heat pump:
- Your outdoor unit is covered in ice. During the colder months, it’s possible that your outdoor unit will have a little ice buildup. When this develops, your unit should shift 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 an issue that needs professional help.
- Your system is short cycling. By short cycling, we mean that your heat pump turns on and stops before it’s had time to bring your home to your desired temperature. This is an indication that your heat pump is the incorrect size for your home. And if it isn’t taken care of, it could wear your heat pump down.
- Your energy bills are going up. Your heat pump is one of the most efficient HVAC solutions available—especially if you keep up with 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 finda professional.
- Your heat pump is getting noisy. Your heat pump isn’t going to be completely silent, but it also shouldn’t be noticeably noisy. If you’re hearing new sounds from your system—especially any that sound incorrect—you may want to have a professional look it over.
- Your heating or cooling seems weaker. Reduced home comfort is likely the most obvious—and annoying—sign you may need a repair. If you’ve tried modifying your setting and nothing seems to work, M & S Heating & Air LLC can help.
Repair or Replace: How to Choose
When your heat pump fails, 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 choice. Here are some factors that can help you see if a repair is a better option:
- Your heat pump is younger than 10 years old. If your heat pump is still fairly young, a repair likely makes sense. It still has a lot of life left for you. However, if your heat pump is aging, a replacement might make more financial sense.
- You haven’t repaired your heat pump multiple times. If a repair on your system is a relatively rare occurrence, you may want to continue with the repair. If you feel like you’ve been repairing your unit regularly, it might be time to contemplate a replacement.
- Your needed repair is small. If a technician can take care of your issue easily and the price is relatively low, a repair is probably your best choice. But if your repair will cost you 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 M & S Heating & Air LLC technician can walk you through all your choices 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 301-363-4699 or make an appointment with us online.