Heat Pump Repair

Why is my heat pump always running in emergency heat?

Emergency heat bypasses the heat pump entirely and uses only the electric resistance strips — much more expensive to operate. Waking up to an emergency heat light usually means the heat pump itself has failed and the system defaulted to backup. Call us to diagnose the underlying heat pump issue.

My heat pump is iced over — is that normal?

A light frost coating on the outdoor coil in cold weather is completely normal. A solid block of ice is not. The defrost cycle should automatically clear frost every 30–90 minutes. If it doesn't, there's a defrost control board, defrost sensor, or reversing valve problem. Turn the system off and call us.

What does a reversing valve do and how do I know if it's failing?

The reversing valve is what allows a heat pump to switch between heating and cooling — it reverses refrigerant flow direction. A failing reversing valve most commonly causes the system to get stuck in one mode: all heat or all cool, regardless of what the thermostat calls for. Sometimes it fails partially, causing reduced heating or cooling output in one mode.

What's the most common heat pump repair?

Capacitors and contactors are the most frequently replaced components — inexpensive and straightforward. Defrost board failures are very common in areas that see cold temperatures. Refrigerant leaks, reversing valve issues, and blower motor failures are less common but more involved repairs.

My heat pump runs but my electric bill is unusually high — why?

The most common cause is the auxiliary heat strips running too frequently. This happens when the heat pump isn't performing efficiently — usually due to low refrigerant, a defrost issue, or a failing compressor. The backup electric strips use 2–3x more electricity than the heat pump itself.