If you cool your home with a heat pump,  you need to know how to troubleshoot your heat pump A/C if it is not cooling like it should. You can diagnose common problems by following our easy to follow troubleshooting guide. Do not attempt to carry out any task that you are not absolutely comfortable with performing.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Check that the thermostat is set on cool and that the temperature is set at a lower temperature than the actual temperature in the room. Make sure the thermostat is set on automatic. Turn the switch to “fan only” to check if the fan is working.
  • Check the filter and replace when dirty.
  • If your thermostat uses batteries, make sure the batteries are fresh.
  • Make sure the outdoor unit with the compressor, coil and fan is free of debris such as leaves and dirt. Be sure the unit is turned off and use a hose on low pressure to wash debris from the unit.
  • The energy efficiency settings may keep the defroster from turning on for a long enough interval or frequently enough to defrost the heat pump. You can try running the fan for an hour to defrost the heat pump. If this keeps happening, move the outdoor sensor closer to the outtake of the coil.
  • If the power is off, check for blown fuses, to see if circuit breakers are tripped, or if there has been a power failure. If your heat pump works intermittently or the breaker keeps flipping, there could be a compressor problem, or perhaps an electrical problem. It is a good idea to call an electrician for the latter.
  • If your refrigerant is low, the heat pump can work poorly or even fail. You must call a suitably qualified technician to add refrigerant, as this is a hazardous procedure and only trained, licensed personnel should be working with these products.

For more information and expert advice on a heat pump A/C and other issues related to home comfort, please contact Comfort Systems. We have been proudly serving the Wichita area since 1996.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Wichita, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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