Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pump Repair’

Why Is My Heat Pump Not Switching Modes?

Monday, March 20th, 2023

a temperature gauge showing just the right temperature

Spring is around the corner, but we’re still facing cold temperatures in the coming weeks. At this point, you may be switching between heating and cooling depending on the temperatures each day. And if you have a heat pump, you want it to switch modes effortlessly for the rest of the winter season so you can stay comfortable. But what happens if your heat pump is not switching modes to heat your home?

It might be time to call for heat pump repair. After all, your heat pump is an all-in-one heating and cooling system, so you rely on it year-round. It’s possible that your heat pump is stuck in either heating or cooling mode, and “stuck” is a problem either way. Keep reading to learn more about two common reasons you may be dealing with a heat pump stuck in one mode.

Tags: Heat Pump Repair
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Signs That You May Need Heat Pump Repair

Monday, October 3rd, 2022

If you have a heat pump in your home, you know that it is the most crucial component that keeps your home warm in the winter. You may not think much about your heat pump when it’s working well – but what happens when something goes wrong? The thing about heat pump repairs is that they don’t pop up overnight.

Usually, something relatively small goes wrong and then spread throughout your system until your heat pump stops working. But you don’t have to wait to address repair needs until your heat pump stops working completely. Instead, you can invest in heat pump repair the moment you know that something is wrong instead of putting it off for later. Keep reading to learn the early signs that you may need a heat pump repair.

Tags: Heat Pump Repair
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Is Your Heat Pump Leaking Refrigerant?

Monday, December 16th, 2019

There’s a question many homeowners ask us that’s born from a common refrigerant myth—that question is, “how often does it need to be refilled?”

But the answer to this is actually, “hopefully, never!”

This is the myth. The refrigerant that flows through your heat pump system shouldn’t need to be refilled on a routine basis. This is because it’s not something that depletes over time like gasoline does from a car or oil does from an oil-powered appliance in your home. Refrigerant, alternatively, cycles through your heat pump continuously, transferring heat rather than generating it like other types of heating systems do.

So if you’re losing refrigerant, it means you have a leak.

Tags: Chicago, Heat Pump Repair
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Why is Water Dripping from My Heat Pump?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Your heat pump operates according to many of the same principles as an air conditioner, which means it suffers from many of the same problems as well. For instance, you may notice puddles of water forming around its base, or dripping from key components in your heat pump. It’s not a good thing. The causes are myriad, but you likely need to contact a professional to deal with it. The good news is that here in Wilmette, IL, heat pump repair services are readily available. “Why is water dripping from my heat pump?” you ask. A brief rundown of the more common causes can be found below.

In many cases, the dripping water comes from ice on the cooling coils, which indicates a loss of refrigerant. Heat pumps and air conditioners need specific levels of refrigerant (dependent upon their models) to operate. When a leak springs up and the refrigerant levels drop, the cooling process is thrown off balance and ice forms on the evaporator coils. (The ice represents lost cooling potential that should be going into your home, as well as forming an unwelcome layer of insulation between the refrigerant and the air it needs to cool.) When you turn the air conditioner off, the ice may melt, forming puddles at the base of the unit.

You may also experience leaks if there are problems with the drainage system. Heat pumps often feature a condensate pan to catch normal condensation as it forms in the unit. That condensation then drips out of the system via a drain line. If the line becomes clogged or the pan is misaligned, water may drip out. (In many cases, a floater in the pan will automatically turn the system off before this happens, though you’ll still need to fix the problem before the heat pump will run again.)

If you spot water dripping from your system, the next step is to call Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning for help. We offer a variety of air conditioning services in Wilmette, IL and heat pump repair is one of our regular services, and we have the know how to treat the root of the problem, not just the symptoms. Contact us today and let us show you what we can do!

Tags: Heat Pump Repair, Wilmette
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Damage Caused by Refrigerant Leaks

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Refrigerant leaks are the bane of air conditioners and heat pumps of all shapes and sizes. The refrigerant gas is the source of the A/C’s cooling power, and it needs to be at certain set levels (which vary depending on the exact type of unit). When those levels drop – through a breach in the line, say, or similar loss – then the damage can cascade and eventually result in serious repairs. The good news is that here in Wilmette, IL heat pump repair services can fix the problem before the damage caused by refrigerant leaks can get too bad.

The biggest sign of a refrigerant leak is a build-up of ice on the evaporator coils. It doesn’t seem like much – isn’t an air conditioner supposed to be cold? – but in fact it can create as serious issue. It acts as an insulator between the refrigerant and the air it’s supposed to cool, keeping the system from functioning the way it should. The air conditioner or heat pump thus works harder to do its job, increasing the strain on every single component. The ice build-up only worsen since its insulating properties exacerbate the problem, until the entire unit stops producing cool air at all. In the meantime, numerous other components are apt to be damaged by the problem, caused by the strain of over-work and similar issues of wear and tear.

The ice itself can cause damage too, both to the evaporator coil and to any components vulnerable to water. When the system shuts off, the ice may melt, and the water will short out electrical motors and damage similar elements very easily.

Unfortunately, you can’t simply scrape the ice off, since it’s just a symptom of the actual problem. Instead, give the experts at Shavitz Heating & Air Conditioning a call. We can handle the damage caused by refrigerant leaks, and will seal up the leak and recharge refrigerant levels so that the problem doesn’t repair. Heating system repairs in Wilmette, IL should be courteous and efficient and we stand by our pledge to leave you completely satisfied with our work. Call us today to make an appointment and let us show you how!

Tags: Heat Pump Repair, Wilmette
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