Heat pumps are reliable systems for cooling and heating your home. However, you must have these units serviced and maintained to operate properly. You may need heat pump repair if the unit suddenly starts blowing warm air. This problem has many causes, and HVAC professionals can help address them. Read on to learn which summer heat pump issues can make your system blow warm air.
Your Reversing Valve Is Stuck
Heat pumps use a reversing valve that switches them between cooling and heating modes. If the valve gets stuck, the system won’t engage correctly. Instead of cooling your home, it will blow heated air. Even if you set the thermostat to cool, the stuck valve can cause the unit to start heat mode. Technicians may use actuation or rapid pressure changes to dislodge the valve.
Low Refrigerant Levels and Leaks
The heat pump will blow warm air if its refrigerant levels are too low. The technician will start by checking the refrigerant levels with specialized gauges. Next, they’ll use ultraviolet dye, pressure testing, and electronic detectors to test for refrigerant leaks. Once they’ve repaired the leak, they’ll recharge the unit to the correct refrigerant levels.
Dirty Air Filters and Coils
Dirty air filters and coils prevent heat transfer and restrict airflow. This will make the unit blow warmer air and short cycle. You should replace your air filter monthly to prevent dust and dirt from accumulating. You can also schedule seasonal cleaning services to manage the coils. Technicians will use professional-grade cleansers to remove debris from the coils.
A Misconfigured Thermostat
A misconfigured thermostat can also make the heat pump blow only warm air. A common configuration error involves emergency heat mode. In this setting, the unit bypasses normal heating and uses an auxiliary feature.
The technician will switch the thermostat from emergency heat to cool and restart the thermostat. The thermostat’s fan should also be set to auto. The technician will shut down the breaker to perform a power cycle reset. They may also reset the thermostat’s battery. Sometimes, a factory reset is necessary.
The Compressor Is Failing
A failing compressor is another reason your heat pump is blowing warm air. The technician will replace the compressor if it’s a total loss. However, they may also try replacing electrical components, adding refrigerant, or cleaning the compressor and flushing its lines.
Summer heat pump problems can make your unit fail to cool your home. The most common culprits are reversing valve and compressor failures. However, it could be something as simple as a misconfigured thermostat. You can restore your unit by learning which summer heat pump issues are the culprit.
If you need trusted heat pump repair services in Lexington, KY, reach out to Absolute Services today.