A heat pump can be a convenient solution for heating and cooling your Arlington Heights home, but how do you know when it’s well on its way to doing neither? Recognizing the signs that your heat pump may need repair or even replacement can help prevent a catastrophic failure. Scheduling repair for a heat pump at the first indication of trouble increases the likelihood of a simpler and more affordable repair, and it can also reduce the risk of a catastrophic failure.
Don’t delay that service call: Even if your heat pump needs to be replaced, a prompt call can help you avoid a failed heat pump, which could lead to an emergency that leaves you sweating, shivering, or worse. Keep an eye out for all of the signs below and give us a call at IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co. when you notice a problem to save you money, time and stress.
1. Long or Short Cycling
This refers to your heat pump’s tendency to either run constantly or to run for only brief periods, turning itself on and off repeatedly over a short time. When your heat pump is short- or long-cycling, it is likely not maintaining your home at your desired temperature, and it is wasting energy trying.
Although you likely have not used a stopwatch to time your heat pump’s usual cycles, you still probably have an idea of how long they typically last. Pay attention if you notice a change. If your heat pump seems to be working hard and for longer periods than usual without producing any real results, it may be long-cycling. Similarly, if your heat pump starts cycling on and off frequently without keeping your home comfortable, note it. A less comfortable temperature in your home than you’re accustomed to can also alert you to these cycling issues.
2. Inconsistent Temperatures
Be alert to inconsistent temperatures even if you haven’t noticed any deviations in your heat pump’s on/off cycles. Is one part of your home suddenly warmer or cooler than another part? Or does your heat pump just seem to be struggling to maintain temperatures compared to last week or last year?
If you are experiencing an unusual cold snap or heat wave, your HVAC system may struggle to keep up even if it’s otherwise working well. However, if those inconsistent temperatures persist or if the weather is within the usual temperature ranges, you may need to schedule service.
3. High Energy Bills
The arrival of an unexpectedly high energy bill could require a little detective work to get to the bottom of it. First, you might have been using more power than usual, or your rates may have increased. With those two possibilities set aside, numerous other reasons could have caused your power bill to skyrocket, ranging from roof damage causing loss of conditioned air to electrical problems and more. Any one of these issues could lead to your HVAC system working less efficiently.
Once you’ve determined that the heat pump is the source of the problem, you will need to identify what is causing that increased energy use. Several issues can reduce your heat pump’s efficiency, including low refrigerant levels, which suggests a leak. The air filter may need changing, or the heat pump could be at the end of its lifespan. We can help you determine if your heat pump is to blame for those high bills and offer solutions.
4. Strange Noises
Under normal operating conditions, a heat pump should be fairly quiet. When it’s not operating properly, a heat pump can make a surprising amount of noise. You might be able to get an idea of the issue based on the noise, but a professional will need to properly diagnose and address it. As with other signs, take note when something is out of the ordinary.
For example, some vibration might be a normal part of your heat pump changing settings or starting a cycle. However, if you hear a rattling, banging or clanging sound, a component of your heat pump might be loose. A buzzing or humming noise usually points to electrical issues while problems with the motor bearings might cause a grinding sound. Other sounds you might hear from your heat pump indicating you need to schedule service include bubbling, hissing, shrieking or whistling noises.
5. Poor Airflow
If you are standing near a vent and have noticed that there’s not much air coming out of it, first check that the vent is open and unobstructed. Then call us. Many issues can affect your airflow, including duct problems, a dirty filter or a faulty compressor. Poor airflow can also mean that your blower motor has malfunctioned or even that there is a blockage around your outside unit. It can help to note whether the airflow problem is happening with one vent or all of them, but this is an issue best diagnosed by a professional.
6. Ice Buildup
In a cold climate like that of Arlington Heights, some times of the year feature snow and ice just about everywhere. This can include your heat pump’s outdoor unit. Heat pumps have a defrost mode, and if you notice some frost on your outside unit, this is normal and not necessarily cause for concern. However, if the frost remains for more than a few hours or has built up enough to block airflow, the defrost cycle may be unable to function correctly. This can damage your heat pump, so if you spot ice buildup that won’t go away, give us a call.
7. Heat Pump Won’t Run
Of course, there is also one very obvious sign that requires a service call: You have turned on your heat pump and it hasn’t responded at all. This is not necessarily a sign that your heat pump has worn out altogether and you have to buy a new one. While that could be the case, there are also various reasons this might happen. The issue could be your thermostat, your heat pump’s capacitor or a faulty relay switch, among other possibilities. We can determine whether your heat pump can be repaired or needs a replacement and advise you on your options.
Your Local Heat Pump Experts
We are proud that we have been helping out residents in the Arlington Heights area since 1946. We are family-owned and -operated, and our technicians are NATE-certified. With an A+ rating from the BBB and multiple awards, including an Angi’s List Super Service Award and a Reader’s Choice Award from the Daily Herald, we clearly understand what our customers need.
In addition to heat pump services, we offer a variety of other HVAC services as well. We perform installation, maintenance services and repair of all types of heating systems and cooling systems. When you need heat pump repair or any other type of HVAC service in the Arlington Heights area, contact IBBOTSON Heating & Air Conditioning Co..
