Heat pumps do well in heating your house if it’s installed and maintained correctly. So, you may be worried if your heat pump is reaching the correct temperature and not heating enough. There are multiple reasons for a heat pump not heating enough and some of them require heat pump repair.
The Outside Temperature Is Below 35 Degrees Fahrenheit
Heat pumps work differently from furnaces. A furnace in good condition can keep your house warm regardless of the outside temperature. However, a heat pump can’t.
As soon as the temperature outside goes below 35 degrees Fahrenheit, the efficiency of a heat pump declines. You’ll notice that the heat pump is not heating enough and not reaching the temperature you have set on the thermostat. Therefore, heat pumps are ideal for regions with milder winters.
So, if the outside temperature is under 35F, your heat pump may not work as expected but no action is usually required. Nevertheless, you should inspect the heat pump. And if the temperature in your region is under 35F mostly in winter, you should install a furnace.
In the meantime, trick the heat pump to reach your desired temperature. For instance, if you want the temperature to be 70 degrees and set it, the heat pump will only reach 66-68. So, set the thermostat to 74 degrees, then the heat pump may go to 70. However, this practice might increase your energy bills.
Heat Pump Refrigerant Is Low
When there is low refrigerant in the heat pump, it will be difficult for the unit to absorb heat. Low refrigerant can but stress to the unit and can also cause a hike in your energy bills. Moreover, your heat pump keeps working and can’t reach the desired temperature.
The reason for low refrigerant could be a leak as well. So, if you notice that your heat pump is not heating enough or energy bills are costlier than before, let an HVAC technician inspect your unit and make sure that the refrigerant levels are not low or there isn’t a leak.
The Outside Unit Is Frozen
There can be ice buildup on the outdoor unit of a heat pump. It’s common in winter and the heat pump switch to the cooling mode for a short time to remove the ice. It’s called defrost cycle.
But when the ice more or there is any other problem with the unit like leaking refrigerant, the unit will fail to melt the ice on its own. With frost on the unit, the heat pump won’t be heating enough.
Running a heat pump with ice on the outside unit can damaging to the unit because it can cause breakage of the fan blades and refrigerant leaks.
Vents Are Closed Or Blocked
The warm air produced by the heat pump reaches your house through the vents. When they are closed or blocked, the air won’t reach the room that’s vent is blocked, and will be cooler in winter.
A sign of blocked vents is when you feel some rooms are warm but other rooms are cold. If you’re in the colder rooms, you will feel that the heat pump is not heating enough.
When there is an issue with the air ducts, they could be blocked, dirty, or leaking. So, an inspection is required to determine the cause. If the vents are closed, you can open them yourself, but for other causes, hire an expert.
The Heat Pump’s Size Is Smaller
The correct size of a heat pump plays a huge role in maintaining a house’s temperature. If the size of the heat pump is smaller, it will keep overworking to make up for that. The stress put on the heat pump will lead to the wearing of components and breakdowns.
If your heat pump is well-maintained, but not heating enough, have an HVAC technician calculate the load on the heat pump and determine if the size of the unit is right for your house.
Conclusion
There are many causes of a heat pump not heating enough. If you’re noticing a decline in your heat pump’s performance, make sure to inspect it yourself or hire heat pump repair services McLean to check the unit and find the cause of the problem.
