Heat Pump Is Not Turning On? Here’s What to Check.
Heat pump not turning on? Check out this handy guide for troubleshooting tips!
Heat Pump Is Not Turning On? Here’s What to Check.
Your heat pump is the year round workhorse mechanic system in your home. And when you can’t get cool air when it’s 90 degrees outside or heat when it’s frigid – well – life has never felt more miserable.
In this article I will go into the five common causes of heat pump failure to switch on. At Broadley’s Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, we have been in the heating and cooling business since 1911. So let me share with you some of what we have learned.
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Five Common Causes: Heat Pump Won’t Turn On
- Thermostat Issues
- Electrical problems
- Leaking refrigerant
- Capacitor failure
- Reversing Valve failure
Thermostat Issues
The first thing to check is your thermostat. Make sure that it is set to “heat” in winter and “cool” for cooling operations. Believe it or not, failure to switch to the correct function is one of the most frequent reasons for a system failure to fire up.
What to Do
It is important to note that thermostat function is not universal. They do not all work with heat pumps. So if you recently switched your thermostat out for a new one – perhaps as a DIY fix – make certain that your thermostat is the correct one for your heat pump model.
Read More: Replacing A Furnace With A Heat Pump
Electrical Problems
Sometimes electrical problems will cause a heat pump failure to turn on. In our area frequent summer storms and heavy winter snow can cause power failures leaving our electric grids shut down for extended periods of time. When the power comes back on we can find ourselves without the use of some of our mechanical systems.
What to Do
If your heat pump doesn’t turn on after a major power outage, check to see if the circuit breakers controlling the heat pump in your electric box have been tripped. The burst of electricity after restored power will frequently result in tripped circuit breakers as the sudden burst of power overwhelms your home’s capacity. Note that this is entirely normal. That is the circuit breakers doing their job.
Refrigerant is Leaking
Leaking refrigerant reveals itself over time. And while your system usually will not shut off, you will notice a failure to heat or cool to the set temperature on the thermostat or you will notice a constant running of the system with little or no effect. There are a few things that you can do to troubleshoot this problem.
What to Do
One of the first and easiest things to do is to listen for any hissing sounds that might be associated with leaking gasses. Then walk around both the indoor and outdoor unit looking for signs of a greasy/oily discharge or pooling liquid. Another sign would be icing around the evaporator coils.
If you notice any of these signs, shut your system off and call your trusted HVAC technician. Replacing refrigerants needs to be done by a technician licensed to handle refrigerant gasses. It is not a DIY job.
Broken Start Capacitor
A start capacitor is basically a relay that allows the heat pump to initiate the heat pump motor. It is used in the motor circuit for a second or two when it first starts to turn. Once the motor is fully engaged the capacitor disconnects and is not used again until the next time the motor starts up. If the start capacitor fails, the motor cannot start turning.
Signs that your start capacitor is bad are:
- The top of a start capacitor is only partially attached or is completely missing.
- The membrane is completely blown off.
- The capacitor is leaking fluid.
- The relief port at the top of the capacitor is open.
What to Do
If you suspect or have determined that your start capacitor has gone bad, contact your HVAC technician to have it replaced.
Damaged Reversing Valve
If you have noticed that your system is having trouble switching between AC and heat modes, it is likely your reversing valve is stuck or malfunctioning. Here is what you can do.
What to Do
If your reversing valve is stuck or you believe that it is malfunctioning, first try lightly tapping on the body of the valve to see if you can free up the “stuck” component. If that doesn’t work, it is likely that it will need replacement.
Contact Broadley’s About Your Heat Pump!
Heat Pump Not Turning On: FAQs
Heat pumps are among the most reliable heating and cooling systems available. But if you are looking for an expert on heat pumps and mini splits in the Margate, NJ area, contact the experts at Broadley’s.
How do I reset my heat pump?
Turn off the power switches, which can be on the wall nearby or on the pump itself. Then turn off the electrical breakers. After everything is off, wait up to five minutes, and the heat pump should be reset. You must then flip everything back on in the opposite order it was turned off.
Where is the fuse on my heat pump?
The fuse on a heat pump is located on the control panel area on a circuit board in the interior unit.
What blows a fuse on a heat pump?
Fuses are typically blown when a circuit is overloaded. This can happen due to a burst of energy or when the vibrations of an operating system loosen wires over time. A blown fuse can be a DIY fix.