Cincinnati, OH Heat Pump Repair

Common Heat Pump Problems

Like any heating and cooling system, issues can develop instantly. One day your heat pump is working fine, the next it’s making weird noises. It’s important to be aware of common heat pump problems and when it’s a good idea to call a professional service technician.

Excessive Noise

Heat pump systems are known to make some noise when they first start up. This noise is usually a low humming noise. However, hearing banging, clanking, grinding, squealing, or screeching are not normal noises. This is a sign there are issues with the unit. You can turn off the unit and attempt to tighten anything that seems loose, but if the noises continue, call a heating and cooling company for heat pump services. 

High Energy Bills

When your heat pump works consistently well, your energy bills should remain similar from month to month. However, if you notice that your heating bill has suddenly spiked, that’s a big sign that your heat pump isn’t working as well as it should. Have a professional technician troubleshoot the cause and help return your heat pump to peak efficiency. 

Ice Forming Inside the Unit

Heat pumps have a defrosting function on them to keep them from freezing in the winter. However, sometimes this function breaks and you may see lots of ice forming inside your unit. You can turn your heat pump off and try to melt the ice yourself with a hair dryer, but if the forecast calls for more snow and colder temperatures, it’s best to have a quality technician fix the issue. 

Short Cycling

If you hear your heat pump turn on and then turn off shortly after, and then repeat this process, this is an issue called short cycling. The causes of short cycling are often easy to fix, but if ignored, they can lead to more damage in the unit. It’s best to have short cycling addressed sooner rather than later to avoid high repair costs. 

Poor Temperature Control

When you adjust the thermostat, you should hear your heat pump kick on and feel the temperature change soon. However, if your heat pump doesn’t respond to temperature controls, or is having issues maintaining the temperature in the entire house, then your heat pump probably needs repairs. Sometimes this is caused by an old thermostat, or a bad connection between the thermostat and the heat pump. 

Do I Need to Repair or Replace My Heat Pump?

Your heating system is like your car; occasionally something goes wrong that needs to be fixed. But you don’t buy a whole new car because you have a flat tire, or need a new battery. The same is true for your heat pump. Not every repair spells death. There are plenty of times where a simple fix is all you need to restore comfort to your Cincinnati home.

It’s Better to Repair Your Heat Pump If…

You only need small repairs. A few heat pump repairs does not mean that your heat pump is dead. With proper maintenance, heat pumps can last 10-15 years. If your heat pump is having issues and it’s less than 10 years old, it’s better to just repair the heat pump. 

It’s Better to Replace Your Heat Pump If…

Your repair bills cost about the same as a new heat pump. A quality heating and air conditioning technician will let you know how extensive the damage is and if it is worth it to fix the heat pump. This decision is made easier the older your heat pump is. If it’s close to 10 years, or over, then it’s a good idea to consider replacing it. 

Call Rusk for Heat Pump Service in Cincinnati, OH

Restore your heat pump to its proper operating condition when you call Rusk Heating and Cooling. Our heat pump repair services in the Cincinnati area are top quality. We’re happy to solve all your heating and cooling needs. Schedule an appointment with us today.