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Why Is My Heat Pump Not Turning On?


The short answer is when you have a heat pump not working, various issues can be responsible. These include a power switch or circuit breaker issue, using the wrong temperature or emergency heat thermostat settings, clogged filters, and faulty components within the indoor and outdoor units.

When heat pumps aren’t turning on like they should, you need to fix the problem as soon as possible. Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is the trusted name for Louisville heat pump repair service. Here are some heat pump troubleshooting steps to help you tackle simple issues. Also, learn about the other issues that may be causing a heat pump not turning on and what professional repairs may be needed to fix heat pumps properly.

Heat Pump Troubleshooting if the Heat Pump Isn’t Turning On

When you have a heat pump not turning on, there could be a range of heat pump problems at play. We’ll review some heat pump troubleshooting tips as well as other problems that require you to have your heat pump serviced by a professional.

Thermostat Settings

If your home is equipped with a heat pump, it’s important to make sure that your thermostat is set correctly. If the thermostat is set too low, it can prevent the heat pump from turning on. This can be a problem in the winter when you need to rely on the heat pump to keep your home warm. The fix is easy: just turn up the thermostat until the temperature is a few degrees higher than the current room temperature, and you should find that the heat pump kicks on.

Another possibility is that your thermostat is set to emergency heat. This setting is designed for use in extremely cold weather and prevents the heat pump from turning on in order to protect it from damage. If the weather isn’t particularly cold, however, this setting can prevent your heat pump from working properly. To check your thermostat settings, simply look at the display. If the word “emergency” is displayed, then you’ll know that’s the reason why your heat pump isn’t working. In most cases, you can simply switch the thermostat to “heat” mode and it will work as normal.

Heat Pump’s Supply Power

If your heat pump doesn’t have power, it can prevent the heat pump from turning on. If your heat pump doesn’t seem to be turning on, the first thing you should check is the power switch. If the switch is off, it can prevent the heat pump from receiving power and prevent it from turning on.

If the switch is on, but the heat pump still isn’t working, there may be a problem with the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker trips when there is an overload of electricity, and this can cause the heat pump to shut off. If you think the circuit breaker may be the problem, you can reset it at the home’s electrical panel and see if that fixes the issue. If the heat pump still isn’t working, you may need to call a professional for help.

Bad Start Capacitor

A heat pump is a wonderful way to heat and cool your home, but it relies on a number of components working together in order to function properly. One of these components is the starting capacitor, which helps the compressor get started when the heat pump is turned on. If this capacitor is broken, it can prevent the heat pump from turning on at all.

Check to see if the capacitor is visibly damaged. If so, it will need to be replaced. Clicking noise when the outdoor heat pump turns on is a common sign that the capacitor is bad. If the capacitor looks fine, try resetting the breaker. If that doesn’t work, then you may need to call a professional for help.

Faulty Reversing Valve

The heat pump reversing valve is a crucial component of any heat pump system. This valve is responsible for reversing the flow of refrigerant within the heat pump, which allows the unit to alternate between heating and cooling mode. If the reversing valve becomes stuck in one position, it can prevent the heat pump from turning on altogether.

In order to fix this issue, a trained technician will need to replace the faulty valve with a new one. Replacing the reversing valve is a relatively simple task that any qualified HVAC technician can handle. In most cases, it will only take a few hours to complete the job. After the replacement is finished, your heat pump should be working like new again.

Heat Pump Not Working Because It’s Frozen

A heat pump can become frozen in cold weather if the outdoor temperature drops below freezing and there is not enough airflow across the coils. When this happens, ice will build up on the coils and eventually cause the system to stop working.

In order to function properly when ice forms on the heat pump’s components, heat pumps need to go through a defrost cycle. This is when the system removes any frost or ice that has built up on the outdoor unit. Essentially, the heat pump operates in reverse to melt the ice, so it may seem like you have a heat pump not working. The defrost cycle usually happens automatically and only takes a few minutes.

One of the most common issues that can cause an outdoor heat pump to freeze up is a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter blocks the flow of air, causing the coils to frost over. In addition, a dirty air filter can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze up. If you find the heat pump not turning on after the defrost cycle, start heat pump troubleshooting with AC filters within the indoor air handler cabinet. Replace the clogged filter with a new one immediately, and be sure to change them regularly.

If you’re having trouble with your heat pump and the air filter isn’t a problem, it’s time to call a heat pump repair technician to investigate these issues. When the refrigerant level is low, the coils can’t absorb enough heat from the air, causing them to become cold and eventually to ice over. An HVAC technician can diagnose this problem by measuring the refrigerant level and looking for other signs of leaks or damage. Once the leak has been repaired, the technician will add more refrigerant to the system to bring it back up to the proper level. This will usually solve the problem and prevent the coils from freezing up again.

Another common issue that can cause an outdoor heat pump to freeze up is a faulty defrost board. A faulty defrost board prevents the heat pump from switching into defrost mode, causing the coils to frost over. In addition, a faulty defrost board can also cause the compressor to overheat and shut down.

Heat Pump Blower Problems

A heat pump blower is a device that helps circulate air around a room. It is usually located near the furnace or air conditioner and blows air through ductwork to different areas of the home. The blower is an important part of the heat pump system because it helps distribute heat evenly throughout the house. Without a blower, the heat pump would not be able to effectively circulate air, and the home would not be comfortable.

If the heat pump blower is malfunctioning, it may feel like the heat pump doesn’t turn on. The heat pump condenser may run just fine, but the blower doesn’t circulate warm air in your home so you may assume it’s not working at all. In actuality, the heat pump is probably running just fine – it’s the blower that’s not working.

A heat pump blower is a crucial part of your heating and cooling system, and a broken belt can cause it to malfunction. The belt helps to rotate the blades of the blower, and without it, the blower will not be able to circulate air properly. In addition, a broken belt can also cause the blower to overheat, which can damage the motor. Replacing the belt is typically a fairly simple and inexpensive repair, but it is important to have it done as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your heat pump.

If the belt isn’t the issue, there may be a bigger problem at hand. An HVAC technician will also check to see if the blower is getting power. If it isn’t, then you’ll need to troubleshoot the electrical system. If the blower is getting power but still isn’t working, then you may need to replace it. Heat pump blowers are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace, so this is a fairly straightforward repair.

Heat Pump Not Working? Solve Heat Pump Problems Today

If your heat pump isn’t turning on, there are a few things you can check before contacting us for repairs. If everything looks good on your end after heat pump troubleshooting, request HVAC service, and we will come take a look at your unit. Jarboe’s Plumbing, Heating & Cooling solves heat pump problems quickly so you can enjoy warm air indoors as soon as possible.

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