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Serving the South Puget Sound and Western Washington Areas Since 1976

Serving the South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington Areas Since 1976

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Sunset Air Blog

Signs Your Heat Pump Needs Repair

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Here in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve been known to use our heating systems through the spring until “Juneuary.” That means that in February, we’re quite often only halfway through the heating season.

If you use a heat pump to heat your home, by now you’ve probably got a good idea of how it’s been performing. 

If your heat pump’s performance has been lackluster, it might be time to call us for heat pump repair in Olympia, WA. It’s easier to ignore mediocre performance than it is to ignore a flat-out breakdown in service.

Those small issues can become large problems if they’re not addressed right away. Let’s go over the signs that mean your heat pump is struggling and when they warrant scheduling service.

Insufficient Heating

Just how much of an issue this is can be difficult to discern. Perhaps your home is being heated to a sufficient temperature but the fact that it’s taking much longer to do so is eluding you. Or you might suspect that it’s not really reaching that optimal temperature and you’re making do by putting another layer of clothing on. 

A heat pump that isn’t producing enough heat is one of the most common calls for service that we get. This issue is often caused by a broken thermostat, a bad compressor, a dirty air filter, or low refrigerant levels. Don’t suffer through another day with inadequate heating.

Strange Noises

Strange sounds coming from your heat pump are how it’s trying to tell you it needs some help. Unusual noises can be caused by a damaged or loose part that is knocking around and needs to be put right or replaced.

Squealing, for example, usually means that the fan belt is old and needs replacing. Hissing can be caused by a leaking compressor or a refrigerant leak. Heed your heat pump’s call of distress by calling us for repairs.

Condenser is Icing Up

If your outside condenser unit develops a thin layer of ice, this is normal. Heat pumps have a defrost mode to take care of this. It’s only a serious problem when the unit develops a thick layer of ice that isn’t dethawing.

This could indicate an issue with the defrost mechanism, the reversing valve, or a low refrigerant level. If your condenser looks like Frosty the Snowman and it isn’t below freezing outside, give us a call. 

Poor Airflow

If it seems like your heat pump isn’t outputting strong and steady airflow, there could be a number of issues. The first thing you can do is check your air filter. Make sure it isn’t dirty and if it is, clean it or replace it and see if that takes care of the issue.

If not, check the outside condenser unit and make sure it’s clear of branches, leaves, or debris. If none of these are the cause, you should call us to investigate. It could be dirty coils or a malfunctioning blower motor.

Don’t suffer through the spring with a poorly performing heat pump. We’ll diagnose the issue and get it fixed so you can count on your heat pump for however long you need it.

Count on the team with the most experience. Contact the team at Sunset Air today for heat pump repairs in Olympia, WA. 

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