It’s not uncommon for heat pumps to struggle to maintain the right temperature, especially during the winter. Varying factors can cause this to happen. Here Dittmer Air and Heat, a trusted HVAC air conditioner repair and heating expert, lists some of the usual culprits behind this problem.

Vents Are Closed

If your heat pump is failing to keep up with it’s heating responsibilities, you might want to check your vents and make sure they’re open. Your supply and return vents won’t be able to bring heat inside your home if they’re closed.

Air Leaks

When there’s too much cold air entering your home, this can make it difficult for your heat pump to keep the heat inside. The first thing you can do to combat this is to keep your doors and windows closed, then begin to look for signs of air leakage. Make sure to seal any air leaks in your home, and consider performing indoor air quality testing while you’re at it. Lastly, you should make sure there’s enough insulation in key areas of your home, including the attic and basement.

Outdoor Unit Is Iced Over

Check your condenser unit and see if it’s iced over or frosted. If such is the case, you can run a defrost cycle, which usually fixes this kind of issue. However, if the entire unit is covered in ice which isn’t melting, it’s best to contact a professional immediately.

Outdoor Unit Isn’t Functioning

Another thing you can do when your heat pump seems like it’s not doing its job is to check the power supply, replace the filters if needed and make sure that all vents and registers are open. When you turn the defrost mode on, cold air may blow from the vents if there’s no supplemental heating system. This is normal, but if your outdoor unit fails to come back on after the cycle’s over, you should call a professional.

Dittmer Air and Heat has over 28 years of experience in the HVAC industry. Our areas of expertise include heat pumps, air conditioning, restaurant refrigeration and more. Call us at (321) 637-0170 or fill out our contact form to request a consultation.