Proper heating of your home is not only important for keeping your family comfortable. It is also important for conservation, reducing the costs associated with heating. Unfortunately, issues with your heat pump may arise periodically, affecting the system's ability to heat in the most efficient way possible. Knowing the signs of these issues will help with diagnosing and making repairs. Here are a few common issues your heat pump may face and how to repair them.

Unit Icing Up

There are a few reasons your heat pump may ice up and surprisingly, this can happen in both the winter and the summer months.

In the winter when temperatures are colder outside, the outdoor unit will be exposed to the same cold temperatures. While the unit was designed to withstand frosty, snowy, and icy buildup, an icy, frozen outdoor unit will eventually not run as efficiently when heating your home. To continue heating, the unit will need to work harder, placing a great deal of stress on the system and increasing your heating costs.

Your first thought may be to knock the snow and ice from the unit. This is helpful, since it will allow air to circulate, helping the unit defrost itself. However, never use sharp tools to remove the frost buildup because this could cause more damage. Use a broom, your hands, or a windshield's ice scraper to remove any wintry, frozen matter from your outdoor unit.

Blowing Cold Air

Another common problem many people face with their heat pumps is cold air moving out of the vents into the home. When your heat pump is in heating mode, only warm air should be flowing out of the vents to heat your home. Therefore, cold air while heating your home is definitely a cause for concern.

If you are feeling cold air flowing out of the vents, check the thermostat to make sure your system is in heating mode. You can also check the outdoor unit to make sure it has not frozen over.

If you are still unable to determine why the system is blowing cold air, consult a technician to check the heat pump's compressor and electrical components. If there is a compressor or electrical issue, the heat pump may not force warm air into your home.

The heat pump is an essential part of many home's heating system. With this guide, you will learn a few common heat pump problems and how to restore the heating system back to a functional and efficient state.  Contact a heating repair service for more help.