Your Heat Pump Won’t Turn On? Try These Tips

More than 17 million US homes now have a heat pump installed. This method of heating is extremely energy efficient and a great way to cut down on bills. But do you know what to do when systems go wrong?

If you can’t get yours working, then we can help. Read on as we discuss what to do when your heat pump won’t turn on.

Heat Pump Won’t Turn On

When your heat pump won’t work, it can cause serious discomfort in your home. Troubleshooting the problem becomes imperative. Below are the most common issues if you cannot get the heat pump to work at all.

1. The Thermostat

The first place to check is your thermostat. Most problems stem from this device, as it is the control unit for the whole system. If it does not function, then the system has nothing to tell it what it should be doing.

Make sure that it is set to heat during the winter and cool in the summer. You should also make sure the whole system is on. It seems obvious, but all it takes is one knock and it is easy to change a setting accidentally.

If it is not the settings, it may be the thermostat itself. Not all thermostats work with all heat pumps, so if you have installed a new one check the compatibility. You may also want to call an electrician to check the wiring for you.

2. Check the Circuit Breaker

Another common problem is that the circuit breaker may have tripped. If this happens, then the heat pump won’t be getting any power.

Find the circuit board and look for a breaker that will be labeled as a heat pump or AC. If it is in the neutral position, turn it off for around 30 seconds. You can then try turning it back on.

If it trips once more, you have an electrical problem and need to call a professional electrician. There could be several problems in your home that are making it trip. Resetting it again could cause damage to the system.

3. Condensate Pan

Humidity is also a sign of heat pump problems as a heat pump will also dehumidify your property. The moisture it takes has to go somewhere, which is the drain pan. As the pump draws warm air, it puts it over an evaporator coil which collects the condensation in the pan.

This is then removed via the condensate line. However, if problems occur with the pan or line then the heat pump will trigger an automatic switch-off. You can usually see these heat pump issues, which appear as pooling water.

There are two main heat pump troubleshooting issues this may be. One is that you may have a clog in the line, and the other is that your evaporator coil is frozen. A clog is easily fixed by vacuuming the outdoor end of the drain line.

A frozen coil is a little more complex and you may wish to start doing an online search for “HVAC companies near me“. Your refrigerant level could be low and may need replacing.

Alternatively, the coil may not be getting the airflow it needs. replace your air filters then see if it solves the problem. If not, you need a specialist.

4. Check the Components

Another reason may be that components in the heat pump have been damaged. For this, you will need a professional to check the system unless you know how heat pumps work. Generally, it is a problem with the capacitor or reversing valve.

The reversing valve is the part that turns the system from heat to cooling modes. You can use your thermostat to test if this is the issue. Switch it from cool to heat and vice versa, checking if both or neither work.

The capacitor is another possible problem. You can usually hear this, as it will perform a clicking sound when the system tries to turn on. This provides the power to start up the unit, and you need a professional to replace it if this is the issue.

Heat Pump Blower Won’t Work

Other common issues that occur are when the system turns on but the blower won’t work. There are two solutions for heating problems of this nature.

The first is to check the thermostat. You can refer to the previous section on this and test it in the same way. Make sure that the fan switch is set to the on position.

A second issue can arrive from the belt inside the unit. This connects the motor and the blower. You can start by removing the door at the front of the air handler to see if the belt has broken or is loose.

Should you wish to replace it yourself, then the belt will have a number stamped on it, so that you can get the right replacement. Make sure the power is off before reaching into the unit.

The replacement belt should slip over the two motors easily. Place it on a smaller pulley first then hook it over the larger one. You may need to adjust the mount of the motor to get it in place and get the right tension.

Getting Assistance

Now that you know what to do if your heat pump won’t turn on, try the solutions above. If you don’t feel confident doing repairs or it still does not work, then contact an expert. You may end up doing more damage if you don’t know what you should be doing.

This article is one of many to help you manage your property. From heating to cooling, we can keep your house comfortable this season.