Having a reliable heat pump is essential when the temperatures dip below freezing in Montgomery, AL. Even if you properly maintain your heat pump, it can start blowing cold air for many reasons. This guide delves into the potential causes of a heat pump blowing cold air and how to address them.
Potential Thermostat Issues
Most thermostats allow you to switch your system to “on” or “auto.” When you use the “on” setting, the fan in your heat pump doesn’t turn off, which is why you might believe your system is blowing cold air. “Auto” makes the fan only run when your system is conditioning air, which is helpful for energy bills, while “on” can work to even out your home’s temperatures.
Defrost Cycle Remains On
During the winter, heat pumps draw in warm thermal energy from the outdoors. If the system detects you have a frozen outdoor coil, the defrost mode should turn on.
Most heat pumps turn off the defrost mode after 15 minutes or once the coil reaches a temperature of 55 degrees. If the heat pump malfunctions, the defrost mode might remain on.
Reverse Valve Is Failing
Heat pumps often switch from heating mode to cooling mode because of a malfunctioning reverse valve. This component determines in which direction the refrigerant flows.
The valve can get stuck in cooling mode even when you turn the heat on because of leaking refrigerant, electrical problems or a bad solenoid. One of our professionals can detect and replace the reversing value during maintenance.
Frozen or Dirty Condenser Coil
Most heat pumps come with an indoor air handler and an outdoor condenser unit. If you stop receiving heat during the winter, there’s a good chance the condenser is dirty.
From leaves to dirt, many potential contaminants can clog the condenser coil and prevent warm air from getting into your home. The condenser coil can also freeze when the temperature drops below 32 degrees.
Maintain the indoor air temperature throughout your Montgomery, AL, home by requesting help from a professional. Contact Air Conditioning by Luquire to schedule our heat pump repair services today.
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