Are you experiencing the frustration of your heat pump blowing cold air when you expect cozy warmth? You’re not alone! As the season changes and temperatures drop, many homeowners encounter this perplexing issue with their heating systems.
Identifying and understanding the cause of this problem is the first step to resolving it. There could be a number of reasons why your heat pump isn’t working – clogged air filters, frozen coils, or malfunctioning valves are all common culprits. Some simple maintenance tasks like checking and replacing filters and cleaning outdoor condenser units can help get things running smoothly again.
From simple fixes that you can do yourself to more complex problems that require a professional’s help, we’ve got you covered.
- 1. Heat Pump Is in Defrost Mode
- 2. Dirty Air Filters
- 3. Incorrect Thermostat Setting
- 4. Refrigerant Leakage
- 5. The Air Feels Cold Due to Temperature Difference
- 6. Dirty or Blocked Outdoor Unit
- 7. Fan Set to Auto
- 8. Lack of Maintenance
- 9. Faulty Reversing Valve
- 10. Your Heat Pump Has Run Its Course
- In Conclusion
1. Heat Pump Is in Defrost Mode
When the temperature outside dips too low, your heat pump’s outdoor coils may freeze, causing it to enter defrost mode. During this process, the warm air is directed toward the outdoor unit in order to melt any ice or frost that has accumulated. This means that, instead of heating your home, it is working to melt the ice. You can tell if your heat pump is in this mode by checking your outdoor unit for any signs of an icy surface.
Once all the ice has melted off the system, your heat pump will go back to warming your home like normal.
Related: Air Conditioner Freezing Up? Explore the Causes of AC Freezing and What You Can Do
2. Dirty Air Filters
Air filters are a crucial part of your heat pump system. They remove dust, debris, and pollutants from the air and help circulate clean air in your home.
If the filters are dirty, it can drastically reduce your indoor air quality. Plus, you will experience reduced airflow in your home as the air will struggle to pass through the clogged filters. This also negatively impacts your HVAC system. When a dirty filter impedes that airflow, your heat pump will struggle to maintain your ideal home temperature. This increases the strain on the unit and also results in high electricity bills.
The solution is quite straightforward – clean your AC filters regularly. You should wash the filters every two weeks and replace them every 3-4 months. If you have indoor pets, you may need to increase the frequency of filter cleaning.
The cleaning process is simple, and you can even do it on your own. Refer to your heat pump’s manual and remove the filters. Then, use a vacuum cleaner or use an air hose for cleaning. If you have washable filters, gently wash them with a mild soap solution. Let them dry completely before putting them back.
Tip: Make use of a smart AC controller for mini-split, window, or portable heat pumps to monitor the filter status. These smart devices will remind you when it’s time to clean them.
Your best choice to make any mini-split, window,
or portable AC smart. Enhance your comfort and savings.
3. Incorrect Thermostat Setting
If you can’t find any issue with your heat pump, but it keeps blowing cold air, try checking your thermostat settings. You might have accidentally set it to ‘cool’ mode. Change the settings, and you will have your heat pump blowing warm air in no time.
Related: Thermostat Not Working? 13 Reasons Why & Troubleshooting Tips
4. Refrigerant Leakage
Refrigerant, commonly known as a coolant or Freon, is a chemical compound that absorbs heat from the outside air, which is then circulated in your home. This process is reversed in summer when the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air to expel it outdoors.
The refrigerant in your heat pump keeps on circulating in a closed loop and is not depleted over time. However, some issues in your unit can cause it to leak. Age-related wear and tear, small pinhole leaks in the coils, and physical damage to the outdoor unit can result in refrigerant leakage. Due to low refrigerant levels, your heat pump is not able to produce as much warm air as it normally does.
To recharge the refrigerant and fix the leakage, it’s best to contact a technician, as Freon is a dangerous chemical. It is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause headaches and dizziness and can even lead to refrigerant poisoning if left ignored.
5. The Air Feels Cold Due to Temperature Difference
If you have recently switched to a heat pump and were previously using a furnace, you will notice a difference in air temperature. The reason is that the heat pump produces air in the 85-92 F temperature range. On the other hand, a furnace blows air between 130-140 F. While the temperature range of the heat pump is lower than a furnace, it can perfectly warm up your space but takes a bit longer.
Another reason can be – you perceive the air coming out of the heat pumps as cold because it’s less warm as compared to your average body temperature, which is 98.6 F.
To check out whether the air is actually cold or you are just feeling it, follow these steps:
Make sure the heat pump is on the heat setting. Sometimes, the symbols can get confusing, so refer to your manual to make sure the correct mode is selected.
Use an infrared thermostat to measure the air temperature. Take readings after every 30 minutes. The temperature should become stable after an hour. If it doesn’t, call a technician to see what’s wrong with the unit.
If you don’t have an infrared thermometer, then you can just wait for some time to see if your house warms up. If it does, then the unit is performing its job.
6. Dirty or Blocked Outdoor Unit
Heat pumps take in heat from the outdoor air and circulate it indoors. However, if the outdoor unit is clogged with debris, it will struggle to absorb heat.
Go outside where your heat pump is installed. Examine it in detail and check if it looks dirty. If it’s surrounded by shrubs, leaves, or twigs that have gotten stuck inside the unit, it’s time to clean it. Trim the vegetation surrounding the unit and remove all the visible dirt. Also, it’s highly important to clean the coils for proper heat pump functioning.
Regular maintenance of your outdoor unit ensures that it runs efficiently and helps avoid costly repairs.
7. Fan Set to Auto
Sometimes, there’s simply nothing wrong with your unit; it’s just an incorrect setting that is causing it to blow cold air. For example, if your fan setting is ‘on’ instead of ‘auto,’ this can cause your heat pump to blow air regardless of whether the heat is running in the unit.
The solution is to set your fan to ‘auto’ so it only blows hot air.
8. Lack of Maintenance
One of the most common reasons why a heat pump might be blowing cold air in heat mode is due to a lack of HVAC maintenance. Over time, dirt and debris can accumulate in the unit, which can impact the heat transfer process and reduce the heat pump’s efficiency.
Regular maintenance is key to efficient operation. This includes cleaning the outdoor unit and scheduling an annual HVAC tune-up with a professional. In addition to improving the performance of your system, it can also lead to cost savings. A well-maintained heat pump consumes up to 25% less energy.
9. Faulty Reversing Valve
The reversing valve is an integral component of your heat pump system. Its job is to switch the refrigerant flow, which means going from cooling to heating and vice versa. Damage or failure of the reversing valve can prevent your heat pump from switching between the two modes correctly. You will notice that your heat pump is blowing cold air even when you have set it to heat.
You will have to call an HVAC technician to troubleshoot the reversing valve and make repairs or replacements where necessary. Ensuring that your reversing valve is working properly can help ensure your heat pump performs optimally in both warm and cold months.
10. Your Heat Pump Has Run Its Course
Like all other home appliances, your heat pump has a limited lifespan and lasts 10-15 years. As the heat pump moves into the later years of its life, it may become less efficient as parts slowly start to wear out or break down. One of the main signs you will notice is the diminished airflow or the heat pump not blowing hot air at all. Other symptoms are that your unit struggles to maintain the set temperature, draws more power than usual, and requires frequent repairs.
The best course of action when your unit is near the end of its life is to consult an HVAC professional and evaluate the cost of repairs. If it’s 50% of the original price, it’s better to replace the HVAC system.
Related: 8 Ways to Extend the Average Life of AC Unit
In Conclusion
If your heat pump is blowing cold air, it could be in defrost mode, or you may have dirty air filters preventing warm air from flowing properly. The outdoor unit may be dirty or blocked, so clear any debris away from it. Additionally, don’t forget to double-check that your thermostat settings are correct. The best way to avoid heat pump airflow issues is to keep up with HVAC preventative maintenance. Also, consider investing in a smart thermostat or a smart AC controller to receive handy reminders when it’s time for maintenance, like cleaning out air filters.