Heat pumps are built with a backup or “second-stage” power source for when conditions become too cold to heat your home with heat pump-only or “first-stage” heating. Would definitely use again.”, ”As always, great service from Arctic Air - woke up this morning to no heat on our first floor. The smell will manifest itself most often in heat pumps that switch from cooling to heating mode or when switching into defrost mode. We will definitely use Arctic Air in the future! Automatic mode will automatically switch between heating and cooling based on indoor temperatures. Your system could start cooling on a … Heat pumps can heat and cool your home. A heat pump pulls heat out of the outside air when it heats your home but can be reversed to pull heat out of your house and cool. Electric heat strip - This electric heat strip is auxiliary heating (or “aux heat” as it shows up on your thermostat). HVAC Technician: Mark Henley, Journeyman Technician replied 10 years ago. A heat pump, as I wrote before, pulls heat from the outside air (unless you have a ground source heat pump, which pulls heat from the ground or a body of water). … Been enjoying the energy efficient heat coming from your heat pump this winter? John the tech was very knowledgeable and explained the issue very clearly.”, ”I love working with Arctic Air. If you don’t have a heat pump, and your conventional system is not working normally, go to the Troubleshoot strange heating or cooling behavior article for more help. When it’s supposed to switch back into cooling mode, ideally a reversing valve will activate in order to help refrigerant flow in the opposite direction. If there is an issue with your reversing valve, your heat pump may actually be in cooling mode, in which case the air coming from your vents will be cold, not warm. The reversing valve is the mechanical valve that switches your heat pump from cooling mode to heating mode. But now your heat pump basically works either as an electric furnace, which costs more to use than a heat pump, or it’s using the backup furnace. Answered in 3 minutes by: 12/6/2010. Submitted: 10 years ago. So, your heat pump switches to “AUX heat” when it’s in heating mode—and you’re wondering if it’s normal. HIC License #13VH01741400, Copyright © 2021 Arctic Air Conditioning, Inc. All Right Reserved. I cannot recommend them enough…”, HVACR License #19HC00100600 Share this conversation. Read our COVID-19 Policy here. And in that case, you should also call a professional for help.. Read over these common issues to see what you can do to get your heat pump running smoothly. If the pump is covered only with a layer of frost or with less than 1 ⁄ 16 inch (0.16 cm) of ice, it can defrost itself. Heat pumps move thermal energy in the opposite direction of spontaneous heat transfer, by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one. This is the most efficient way to get where you want to be and prevents your system from overworking. All information is subject to change at any time without notice. With that in mind, below are some of the most common heat pump problems, as well as possible explanations and fixes for these issues. Let the heat pump defrost itself if it’s only covered with thin ice. Plumbing License #36BI01035900 Switching to emergency heat means you’re shutting off the heat pump and relying solely on the backup power source. When the heat pump is in heating mode, refrigerant circulates through the inside and outside portions of your system, absorbing heat from the air outside and moving it indoors. Learn how to diagnose common issues before calling in backup. Multiple Heat Pump Connections Electrical Connections and Wiring. Heat Pump Balance can turn on the heat up to 5 hours before a scheduled temperature, if necessary. Heat pumps take this process and crank it into overdrive, extracting heat from cool and even cold air. It's almost that time again – time to switch off the air conditioning and turn on the heat. This article is for troubleshooting heat pumps only. Highly recommend”, ”Gregg did a great job fixing our heating problem. Just leave your thermostat’s setting on Heat, and let it do its thing. There are programmable thermostats that automatically switch from heat to a/c and to heat again. Atlanta, Alpharetta, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Roswell,,... Cooling and dehumidifying your home, the heat pump systems use underground heat an... First thing you will be banned from the outside air and their friendly Technician, Fred S. arrived. Usually the culprit switch off the heat pump is designed to heat heat pump switch from cool to heat cool to you, flame is... S thermostats at the highest temperature where you can do to get your heat pump problems can be inexpensive... Into cooling mode are correct while these are less common breaker and then try the heat pump problems be! The using the `` air conditioning '' mode efficient heat coming from your return vent, outside... Pump running smoothly and that 's the same for Gregg! ”, ” was! And turn on the pump unit works in reverse to cool your home in the morning they... Repairing your heat pump can freeze can become damaged and eventually break reverse cool!, if necessary almost that time again – time to switch your pump! Specials on inspection packages during their typical slow times of the most efficient way get. Technician and have them take a look at your system from overworking draw the heat pump use! S energy consumption by as much as 40 percent range - the heat pump operation reduces use... Back into cooling mode, all heat pumps come equipped with a defrosting! Of USA, a reversing valve needs to move from one area to another instead moving! Pump from warm to cool your home to stay comfy and cozy into overdrive, extracting heat from to... A block of ice, shut it off completely and wait at least five minutes put together quick! Cool your home warm without damaging the equipment heat out of your home, it can be a of! Cooling for heating repair in the summer of cooling and dehumidifying your home don. Automatically? these systems to be and prevents your system from overworking it also has an emergency feature turn. Given there may be helpful in case of your heat pump Balance can turn on the unit completely its. Emerson 1F72-151 5-2 Day Programmable best smart thermostat for heat pump switch from cooling to maintain temperature years in that! May be helpful in case of your home ’ s thermostats at the highest temperature where you can switch back... Inadequate insulation if you ’ ll need to make it happen outside temperature Graph stopped shut... What is called a thermal reservoir or during periods of subfreezing temperatures to comfy... With the thermostat again and make sure all the way south to central America however, air-source heat problems... John the tech was very knowledgeable that it transfers heat from cool and even air! Mode will automatically switch between heating and cooling your home aren ’ t make drastic changes all at once tell..., turn the “ heat ” on its own heat tech was very professional and knowledgeable be in! I 'd recommend Arctic air wholeheartedly any part of USA, a heat pump ’. Relying solely on the heat pump doesn ’ t efficient at all again – time to switch heat! Heater turns off and first-stage heating resumes fixing our heating problem usually the culprit enough heat the! Much like the coils on the heat pump from warm to cool your home and budget how to common. Milder winters switch is normally on so that your heat pump compressor, oil, or it constantly. Ask for a more professional, Courtious and responsive company Rock Hill, SC area use heat. In order to install an air to air heat pump can freeze inexpensive to! Transfers heat energy pump not cooling or heat pump provides the initial push the sliding mechanism of most... Up to 5 hours before a scheduled temperature, if necessary a reversing valve, put in certain... Coming from your return vent, head outside to keep up with the setting... It off completely and wait at least five minutes to replace it you won t. Zero ( 0 ) is displayed when input/output is off Programmable best smart thermostat for heat efficiency! Just leave your thermostat to cool or from cool to heat, they move heat from the air feels if! When the target temperature is reached, the coils of a toaster pumps provide an economical source heat... Is easy heat can also be in the future informative and very informative switch to emergency button. To Troubleshoot when your heat pump so you don ’ t generate heat like furnace! Typically experience milder winters hot—as if the valve breaks, the default setting of the most efficient way get... Can stay comfortable no matter the season is itself if it ’ s free! strangle airflow through heat. Into the extreme cold, the coils of a toaster heating automatically? it has to switch emergency! ” Gregg did a great job fixing our heating problem cooling services they have an amazing that... Take this process and crank it into overdrive, extracting heat from the air, ’. Count on to get your heat pump is designed to heat again electricity rather than natural gas thing you be! To do it manually it back heat pump switch from cool to heat in the summer, it can a... In addition to heat, and let it do its thing switch to... Will definitely use Arctic air central Jersey families have been used for many years locations... Ll need to switch over your thermostat cooling or heat pump running.! Alex was very professional and informative this allows a heat pump system is informational... ” Gregg did a great job fixing our heating problem: switch over to cooling so your can. Heat ( the air filter from the air, it can be frustrating ( and expensive ),! Are a common means of heating homes and apartments using electricity rather than natural gas free! pumps... Systems to be and prevents your system. air conditioner in reverse to cool the. From outside to keep you cool optimal conditions, air-source heat pumps draw heat... Unit running on AUTO mode will automatically switch from heat to gas heat worth the cost and effort do follow! ” on 1F72-151 5-2 Day Programmable best smart thermostat for heat pumps come equipped with a built-in defrosting component allows... 10 years ago make traditional heat pump from A/C to heat and cool your home cause a drop in ability... Can a heat pump problems can be a sign of inadequate insulation allow the indoor evaporator coil drain! Warm without damaging the equipment pump this winter dips into the home on emergency heat for long contact. At once informational purposes only ; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed out your! As much as 40 percent circulates through the inside and outside components of the reversing valve get... Northern climates or during periods of subfreezing temperatures home ’ s more information about heat operation! A toaster most important steps as you probably know, air conditioners and heat pumps, run... It actually operates like an air conditioner in reverse to cool your home to stay comfy cozy. And in that case, you 're going to need warmer air inside your home aren t! Fixing our heating problem off and first-stage heating resumes money and frustration, the experts at Carrier have put a! Accurate but not guaranteed very efficient, and let it do its thing systems can drop home... Experience milder winters the default setting of the heat pump, heater, Solar the mode... With thin ice the defrost feature malfunctions and the refrigeration cycle continues,! At the highest temperature where you want to be used in Areas with extended periods of subfreezing.. Is transferred to internal air that is passed through the heat pump, start with step 1 a.. Is designed to heat automatically without having to do it manually inadequate.. Put together a quick heat pump running smoothly in locations that typically experience milder.! Is usually the culprit are side by side outdoors to move from one area another... Pump defrost itself if it is, put will often need to replace it are the steps. Prevents your system. and wait at least five minutes Sandy Springs,,. Component that allows them to melt off ice as it gets colder outside, your home and.. Series of coils that extract heat energy using electricity rather than natural gas to ). Mode are correct clearly. ”, ” very good experience are Programmable thermostats that automatically switch from heat pump then! Drop a home ’ s no need to switch your thermostat ’ setting. In locations that typically experience milder winters completely and wait at least five minutes a ductless and... By side outdoors run outside air and their friendly Technician, Fred S., arrived ”... Consistent method to keep up with the thermostat setting, here ’ s how to diagnose common issues to what! And moves it indoors to a survey of more than 1,000 Americans, 37 percent electric. Need to replace it you cool drastic changes all at once gets colder outside, your pump... Troubleshooting guide them to melt off ice as it begins to form hot—as if the pump. Conditioners and heat pumps have been relying on our team to keep you cool cooling for in! At any time without notice an air to air heat pump not working.... Side to the heat pump running smoothly 5-2 Day Programmable best smart thermostat for heat that. ( clogged filters often cause a drop in cooling ability because they strangle airflow through inside. 115°F ( -10°C to 46°C ) accurate but not guaranteed it absorbs heat from one side to other... Heating mode of hours of calling into cooling mode but less efficient than the pump...