If you are new to having a heat pump in your home, you may not be as familiar with it as you were with a furnace. A heat pump will require maintenance from time to time, and it is important to recognize the signs that this appliance needs some assistance from an HVAC professional. Look out for the following warning signs that something is wrong with the unit.

The Evaporator Is Covered With Ice

The heat pump's evaporator coils have the job of absorbing heat and moving it either in or out of your house. It does this by taking refrigerant that changes from a liquid to a gas and cycling it through your home. If there is a problem with the system not having enough refrigerant due to a leak, there will be ice that forms on the unit's evaporator coil. Not only will the heat pump not be able to work properly, but it can cause damage to your heat pump evaporator coil that requires the part to be replaced or repaired. You'll need to have the refrigerant leak fixed, then refilled with more refrigerant so that the system stays pressurized and operational.

The System Cycles Off and On Frequently

Have you noticed that the heat pump is cycling off and on frequently over a short time period? If so, this may be an issue that is caused by the thermostat turning the unit to unnecessarily cycle. It may be as simple as replacing the thermostat with a new one, or an issue with the wiring that needs to be addressed. Cycling can also be caused by a damaged compressor that needs to be replaced or repaired.

The Energy Bills Are Higher

A more subtle problem that you may not realize at first is that the heat pump needs to run longer in order to heat up your home. It is worth paying close attention to your energy bills and seeing how much they have gone up compared to the previous year. If you feel like your bills are noticeably more expensive, it could be due to the heat pump malfunctioning and not heating the home as efficiently as it could.

No matter what the problem is with your home's heat pump, you'll need professional help to fix it. Reach out to a local contractor in your area that specializes in repairing and replacing heat pumps, and they'll handle the maintenance for you. Go to sites like https://www.erickson-plumbingqc.com/ to check out heating and plumbing services that are available.

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