5 Common Causes of Air Source Heat Pump Failure

Air source heat pump problems can lead to despair, especially when it's your only option for space heating and/or cooling. Most of the time, when people can handle most problems on their own, they quickly call a maintenance specialist to troubleshoot and repair the pump.

That being said, it's important to familiarize yourself with the most common causes of air source heat pump failure. That way, you can fix it yourself and save yourself some money in the long run. You can also learn how to maintain it to avoid frequent failures.

First, let's identify the most common problems when air source heat pumps start to fail before we can move on to heat pump troubleshooting. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them;

This heat pump problem could be the result of a thermostat and power issue. Check to see if the thermostat needs adjustment, or if it's not working and needs to be replaced. If a replacement has just been made and the pump is still not working, the placement may be of the wrong type and you must consider getting the correct spare.

Regarding the power supply, check that the air source heat pump is powered on. If the heat pump does not turn on, check that the electrical outlet is turned on. If the power is on but still not working, check to see if the fuse in the heat pump is tripped or blown.

If the fuse is faulty, reset or replace the fuse as appropriate. As a safety precaution, be sure to turn off the power first.

First, make sure the thermostat is set to the temperature of your choice. If the air source heat pump does not heat properly after this time, check to make sure the vent cover is open to allow air to circulate. Adjust them to direct the airflow towards you or the side of the room that needs to be heated.

Check if your coil is working. In most cases, if the heat pump is not cooling, the problem may be a dirty coil or fan. Clean them up and see if it makes a difference. Also, check for blocked air ducts or air handlers and open them.

If any of the pump's auxiliary heating elements cannot be repaired, you can also replace them. Make sure to get the right parts for your heat pump make and model.

The blower not working may be the result of a broken belt. Buy a new belt to make sure the connection between the motor and the pump fan is working properly. Repairing a broken belt is nearly impossible, you'd be better off getting a new one.

If cold weather conditions are too harsh, it's normal for your heat pump to freeze. If the defrost cycle does not run on its own, turn it off so the condenser unit defrosts. Also, make sure that none of the vents are blocked and the air filter is clean.

If the heat pump turns on and off frequently, then you may have problems with the thermostat. The thermostat is not adjusted correctly or is malfunctioning. You can fix this by recalibrating or replacing the thermostat.

In some cases, your heat pump may have a clogged filter preventing it from blowing properly. In this case, you should try to clean the air filter or replace it. Also, check for a faulty fan or faulty valve preventing the heat pump from working properly.

Solving these problems is very simple. Check the heat pump manual for instructions or find a video tutorial similar to your model of a heat pump.

In this case, there are two types of noise. A rattling noise indicates loose parts inside the heat pump. or squeaking, this indicates a problem with the pump and you should call your service specialist to have your heat pump checked.

For rattling issues, this is easily fixed by tightening any loose parts that are causing the heat pump to make unwarranted noises. Check for other loose parts that need tightening.

Since heat pumps are usually made of metal, there is always noise coming out as the metal heats and cools. However, you can reduce noise by insulating it.

If you can't fix the problem yourself, you can call a maintenance specialist. While no amount of troubleshooting will help in some cases, you'll still be doing yourself a disservice if you don't try it before calling maintenance professional.

If you've had the same heat pump for over 15 years, it's time to buy a new one, no matter how well maintained. You don't even need a heat pump expert to tell you that sometimes, problems with your heat pump may indicate that the unit is in the final stages and needs to be replaced. Newer models will be more energy efficient, easier to troubleshoot, and a breeze to operate. If you are planning to buy a new heat pump, please contact us.

SUOHER is a professional custom heat pump manufacturer. We have a team with extensive experience in heat pump design, processing, quality control, and controller function development. Our target is global, including Europe, South America, South Africa, and Asia. Our team has had extensive experience in the heat pump field since 2006.