Installing and Maintaining an HVAC System

How to Troubleshoot a Ductless Heat Pump That Is Not Heating Your Home

21 October 2022

Aaron Kennedy

Is your ductless heat pump not heating your home? If so, you can troubleshoot the system and locate the fault before calling a professional contractor for help. Heat pumps draw heat from the ambient air and use refrigerant to warm the indoor air. If your system isn't working, one of the crucial components may be faulty. Here is how to troubleshoot the heating system and locate the defects.

Check the power to the heat pump 

If your heat pump doesn't turn on at all, the first thing to check is the power connection. Is the system connected to the outlet? If so, check whether the breaker has tripped. A tripped breaker signals an electrical fault in the wiring. The circuit breaker can also trip due to an overheated compressor or motor. The following are the major causes of overheating:

• Dirty condenser coils 
• Blocked air filters
• Refrigerant leaks

A tripped breaker is a protective mechanism that protects the heat pump's components from electrical damage. Therefore, do not reset the breaker without addressing the problem. If you do, you may end up with costly heat pump repairs.

Inspect the unit's reversing valve

Heat pumps use reverse refrigeration technology to provide heating and cooling. They have a reversing valve that controls the direction of the flow of refrigerant and determines whether the unit heats or cools the home. During heating, the system draws heat from the ambient air and pumps it into the home. In cooling mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor spaces and releases it outside.

If the reversing valve fails or starts to leak, the heat pump may stop working. Therefore, switch the system to cooling mode and check whether your home cools down. If the cooling mode works, but the heating mode doesn't, you have a faulty reversing valve. Replace the valve to restore the unit's reverse refrigeration capabilities.

Check for frozen evaporator coils

One probable reason your heat pump isn't heating your home is low refrigerant levels. Once the unit draws heat from the air, it transfers it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant flows inside the evaporator coils, where the coils absorb the heat and release it to the indoor air. If your heat pump is low on refrigerant, there will be little heat for the coils to absorb.

As a result, moisture from the air builds up on the coils. The moisture cools down and freezes over the coils. Check the coils in your unit's evaporator. If they are frozen, the system is low on refrigerant. Recharge it to restore heating and prevent strain on the compressor.

Do not attempt to fix your broken heat pump, as you could damage its components.

Speak to a contractor for more info about heating repair services.

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