Four Common Heat Pump Issues and How To Fix Them

Over one-third of Tennesseans rely on heat pumps to keep their homes comfortable throughout the year. Only South Carolina, Alabama, and North Carolina have higher shares of homes with them.

If you have one, you likely love how effectively it heats and cools your home. However, you might eventually experience heat pump problems and need to hire one of the top heating services in Old Hickory, TN, to repair it.

You should know which heating and cooling problems you may face while relying on a heat pump so you know what to expect. Discover four of the most common issues and learn how to fix each one.

1. Fails To Turn On

Is the heat pump system in your Old Hickory, TN, home failing to turn on? Begin by checking its circuit breaker. It may have tripped, and you must reset it to get it up and running again.

If this isn’t the problem, your thermostat could also be the culprit. An improperly wired thermostat might cause it not to turn on. Having it wired correctly could fix the problem without you making any major heat pump repairs.

A few more serious issues, such as a faulty starter capacitor or reversing valve, might also prevent it from turning on. In these instances, contact a heat pump service to replace these parts.

2. Runs Constantly

One of the most frustrating heat pump problems is having one that won’t turn on, but having one that won’t turn off is just as bad. The Tennessee Valley Authority implemented a 5.25% base rate increase in October 2024 — less than a year after approving a separate 4.5% increase. This rate increase applies to the amount of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used as detailed on your electric bill. An increase like this will hit your pockets hard if your pump doesn’t ever shut off.

So, why might this happen? Figuring it out will require heat pump troubleshooting. Here are a few factors that can cause this:

• Your thermostat is set too high or too low.
• Your air filter is dirty.
• Your condenser or evaporator coils are dirty.
• The refrigerant in your system is low and causing HVAC issues.
• Your compressor is on its last legs.

Your heat pump may have to work harder than usual in December, January, and February when temperatures dip below freezing and in June, July, and August when they sometimes top 90 degrees. However, in most cases, it should only turn on for 10 or 20 minutes, not run for hours.

3. Struggles To Heat or Cool a Home

If your home’s heat pump routinely struggles to heat and/or cool your home, you should start by assessing the condition of your thermostat and ensuring it is programmed properly. If you’re confident it works, look for other heat pump malfunctions that might cause this issue.

These are some of the problems that will stop it from heating your home in Old Hickory, TN:

• The vent for it, located on the exterior of your home, is blocked.
• Its air filter is dirty.
• It doesn’t have enough refrigerant.

These are the issues that will prevent it from cooling down your home:

• Its coils, fans, and filters are dirty.
• It’s low on refrigerant.
• It has a broken reversing valve.

Leaky air ducts could also stop a heat pump from heating or cooling. An increase in dust in your home, random hot and cold spots scattered throughout it, and suspiciously high electric bills could all suggest that air ducts are the culprit.

4. Makes Strange Sounds and/or Emits Odd Odors

Your home’s heat pump will make some noise when it runs. However, you should listen for these sounds that could indicate heat pump problems in Old Hickory, TN:

• Rattling: This may hint at loose parts within your system.
• Banging: This might show that a part has come loose and has stuck in its fan blades.
• Grinding: This could insinuate that its motor bearings have become very dirty.

Odd odors emanating from it should also be a cause for concern. They may point to the presence of electrical issues, mold growth, or even pests.