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If you’ve never had a heat pump, it might seem like a new-fangled gadget. It’s just in recent years that they’ve gotten so popular. But the fact of the matter is, it’s based on technology that’s over 150 years old, and they’ve been in use in some American homes about as long as air conditioners. That said, if they’re not familiar to you, you might have some questions.
How do heat pumps work? What makes them different from air conditioners? Are they better? Would a heat pump be an upgrade? We’ve got the answers for you.
Congratulations on choosing a heat pump for your next home cooling system. It’ll be equal to a top-notch air conditioner, while also providing super-efficient heating. But once you’ve decided on your heat pump and made an appointment to have it installed, you might still have some questions.
Chances are, it’s been a decade or so since you’ve had to deal with AC installation, or perhaps you purchased your home with your current air conditioner in place and have never gone through this process. And perhaps you’ve never had a heat pump before. What should you know about heat pump installation? How long will it take? And what can you do to make sure it goes well? We’ve got the answers.
As your air conditioner ages, you will notice more and more problems with it. Troubles that require repair crop up more frequently. Maybe it sounds like it’s struggling, or just isn’t getting the job done as well as it used to, even though you’ve scheduled routine maintenance. At some point, you’ll start thinking about replacing it.
When you start to consider AC replacement, there are a lot of factors you might be considering, like the size of a new unit, the cost, and how efficient it is. There’s one thing we suggest you think about before you make any other decisions. Should I replace my air conditioner with a heat pump instead of another AC unit? There are some major benefits, and we’ll outline them for you.
If you’re a new heat pump owner, or you’re considering becoming one, there may be some things you don’t know. After all, chances are, you’re much more familiar with air conditioners and furnaces, in terms of what to expect. Are there things to be aware of with your heat pump? They are pretty incredible systems. Does that mean they require more repairs than your AC or heater?
The truth of the matter is, there’s not a whole lot of difference between your heat pump and an air conditioner. Most of the basic components are the same, which means that most of the concerns and potential problems are also the same. But in order to take good care of your heat pump, there are a couple of things you should know.
If you’re in the market for a new heating system, a heat pump has undoubtedly come up on your list of contenders. But you have one concern and that’s because you’ve heard that a heat pump struggles in cold weather. With our cold winter weather here in Michigan, you’re not sure it can handle the cold.
We’ve written this blog specifically to let you know that you shouldn’t be at all concerned about a heat pump’s ability to heat your home. Plus, there are cold weather heat pumps to choose from. You might even be interested in a dual fuel system. Let’s go over your options and assuage your fears.
Your heat pump works hard to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. As a 2-in-1 HVAC system, you look forward to its ability to keep your home comfortable all year round.
That’s why in the winter, it can be extremely frustrating when a heat pump is not blowing hot air. Cold air is what you want in the summer, not the winter.
You may be wondering if your heat pump is simply failing to change from cooling to heating mode or if something else is causing the issue. Let’s look at 4 possible causes of a heat pump that’s not blowing hot air.
A common question we get from homeowners has to do with how often to change the air filter. If you Google this info, the results can be confusing with recommendations from every month from twice a year. It’s understandable why people get confused!
Although the easiest answer is, “Change the air filter when it’s dirty,” it’s a little more nuanced than that. There are a lot of factors that determine how often you should change the HVAC filter. From your household size to whether you have pets, let’s answer the question more definitively.
If you own a heat pump, you’re probably quite happy with its performance. These two-in-one heating and cooling systems are increasing in popularity and for good reason. But just like with any major system, they still require the occasional repair need from every now and then.
What are some signs that your heat pump needs repair? Unusual noises, a heat pump that won’t switch modes, short cycling, and decreased airflow are all good signs that it’s time to call us for professional heat pump repair. Let’s go into more detail so you’ll know which repairs shouldn’t wait.
A-1 Mechanical is your local heating and cooling specialist in Lansing, Michigan, we help homeowners design systems for both hot summers and cold winters. Heat pumps provide cool air by circulating indoor air across very cold indoor coils. During the winter heat pumps condense outside air and circulate indoor air across hot indoor coils. Because Michigan winters become extremely cold, most homeowners use a heat pump for most of the winter and supplement warmth through a furnace on very cold days.
The goal of using your heat pump is to provide complete comfort while consuming the least amount of energy. Heat pumps are rising in popularity because they are driven completely by electricity. This means the heat pump does not create direct emissions and therefore, is considered renewable energy. When you work with a professional heat pump specialist from A-1 Mechanical you will discover the heat pump’s thermostat plays a large role in reducing energy bills.
The extreme temperature changes in both the spring and fall time mean that for most Michigan homeowners, a working heat pump is more than just a comfort. It is a necessity. This is why we believe it is so important to never be in a position where your heat pump may be compromised. At A-1 Mechanical, we are eager to help homeowners understand how heat pumps work. We also strive to answer every day questions and understand the issues they can cause, like short cycling. However, we understand that you’re not an HVAC expert and may have questions yourself, such as: “Why does my heat pump cycle on and off?” We’ll explain.
What Is Heat Pump Short Cycling?
Simply put, when a heat pump short cycles it is able to turn on, but it does not complete its full cycle. This causes the heat pump to quickly shut down and turn back on again. This eventually can turn into a vicious cycle that leaves your heat pump in worse shape due to excessive wear and tear from turning off and on too frequently.
Reasons a Heat Pump Can Short Cycle
Like any machine in your home that receives daily use, there are a plethora of reasons why your heat pump is short cycling. A few of them include:
Faulty Electrical Components
Trouble with the electric control board that controls your home’s HVAC system is a common cause of heat pump short cycling. The electric control board not only is in sync with your home’s thermostat, but it is in complete charge of when your HVAC system turns on or off.
There could be a number of electrical connection issues or faulty components that are causing the short cycling issue. Regardless, get in contact with an experienced technician before tackling any of the electrical problems you may be having.
Any blown fuses or problems with your home’s breaker board could also affect your heat pump’s ability to perform.
Thermostat Issues
While we are all about smart home automation and upgrading your home into the 21st century, new home technology is not without its faults. A thermostat leaves plenty of room for error. So, if you begin to notice your heat pump short cycling, there is a chance your thermostat is not working as it should, causing the heat pump to turn on and off uncontrollably.
An easy way to check on the status of your thermostat is to check its batteries and connections. An issue with either of those things could lead to short cycling.
Low Refrigerant Levels
You may notice that your heat pump is not keeping your home as cool as you would like it. This could be due to a low level of refrigerant. This can add extra stress to your unit and not allow it to work as optimally as it should, leading to short cycling.
Clogged Air Filter
A dirty or clogged air filter can greatly impact the efficiency of your heat pump. When the level of dust and other contaminants is too high in a filter, your heat pump is unable to perform, which can lead to short cycling. Swapping out your air filters often can help prevent this and further issues with your machine.
What to Do when Your Heat Pump Short Cycles
Once you have come to the conclusion that what your heat pump is doing is in fact short cycling, you have a couple of options.
If the issue is easily recognizable, such as issues with the thermostat’s battery or connection, then you may be able to solve the problem yourself. However, we almost always recommend contacting a team of professionals that you can trust if your heat pump is short cycling. Your home is one of the most important things in life, so don’t trust just anyone with it.
Choose A-1 Mechanical for Any Heat Pump Problems
A-1 Mechanical has been serving the Lansing and Grand Rapids community with pride for years and are excited to continue to do so. With the industry standard for technology and the best team of technicians in the business, we are excited to have the opportunity to show you the difference of working with the best.
If you are experiencing any issues with your heat pump or HVAC system, don’t hesitate to give us a call or schedule an appointment. We are eager and ready to serve you and keep your home safe and comfortable!
