2 Common Problems When a Heat Pump Is Operating in "Heating Mode"
A heat pump is one of those appliances that many people appreciate having in their homes, especially when it is wintertime. These appliances help to moderate the biting cold of winter by generating much needed heat inside homes. However, a considerable number of homeowners often experience heat pump failure every now and then, and they don't have the slightest clue about what the problem might be. If you are a greenhorn when it comes to troubleshooting heat pump problems, there is no need to worry. Here is some useful information about two common problems you are likely to experience with your heat pump as well as how you can troubleshoot them.
Problem #1: Fans won't start
There are a lot of possible reasons why your heat pump's indoor or outdoor fan may fail to start. But you should start by checking the circuit breakers or fuses first as they might be blown out. If that is the case, you will have to replace these electrical components. If a circuit breaker is just tripped, then the problem may be as a result of faulty wiring. You can determine the source of the wiring problem by checking for disconnected wiring or loose terminals.
Another plausible explanation why your heat pump's fans won't start could be that it has a bad motor, which will result in failure of the pump to run. A faulty motor will have to be replaced and you can get the right replacement from a home improvement store.
Problem #2: Humming noise, but no heat coming out of the vents
At times, your heat pumps may be producing a humming noise but you can't feel heat coming out of the vents. In many cases, what happens is that the heat is canceled out once it gets mixed with the cool air inside the home, resulting in wastage of energy.
If your heat pump is not generating any heat to the home, you should start troubleshooting the problem at the thermostat since it regulates the supply of heat. Check if the thermostat is on and set it to heat the room. If the thermostat is sending the "power on" signal but there is still no heat supply, then it could be that the capacitor, transformer, motor, compressor bearings or electrical wiring is faulty. All bad components will need to be replaced and all wiring issues will have to be rectified as well.