There are odd noises emanating from your heat pump that put you off? You can see no reason for the uptick in your energy bills? One room is as it should be but another is either too hot or too cold?
You would not be the only one to have these concerns. For our part, we at Crocker Refrigeration Heating and Air have put the heat pumps of Santa Barbara County homeowners in good working order since 1980. Put us on the phone at (805) 965-6326 and we will hear you out.
Your home’s heating and cooling is left to the heat pump all year long. With so much use it is simple to miss an early indication of trouble. Yet an early intervention will spare you the expense of a breakdown later on. Here are some things to be on the lookout for.
Under normal circumstances a heat pump has a quiet, even hum. Should you detect sounds that do not belong, more often than not there is something amiss with the unit, be it loose or worn.
Listen for any of the following:
A click here and there at startup or shutdown is to be expected; loud or repetitive ones are a plea for attention from your heat pump.
How your system is performing is written in your utility bill. When the numbers go up without a change in the way you live, the heat pump may be having difficulty. An inefficient unit has to put in more work and run longer to get to the desired temperature and you will see it on your statement. It is one of the first indications of a need for repair.
Put your hand to a vent. The air should be steady and strong, not weak or the wrong temperature. If you find that to be the case, or if the performance is uneven from room to room, it is something to look into. Your heat pump is meant to provide a uniform temperature throughout the house. A clogged filter, ductwork or a compressor on the way out can all be culprits.
Efficient maintenance of your set temperature means the heat pump will cycle as the day goes on. But an unit that does not shut off, or one that is cycling on and off with great frequency, is not right.
Short cycling can be due to an oversized system, a problem with the thermostat or the refrigerant. Constant operation is hard on the components and will not do the system’s longevity any favors. Have it looked at.
Some frost on the outdoor unit in winter is nothing to worry about, the defrost cycle will take care of it. Heavy ice that lingers is another matter. This can be caused by a blockage in the airflow, low refrigerant or a defrost cycle that is not doing its job. Leave it to build up and you risk damaging the heat pump.
One should not have to smell anything coming from the heat pump. A mustiness could be mold in the ductwork or system. A burning odor is an electrical issue and calls for immediate action. In either instance, shut it down and make a call.
Neglect a minor thing and it has a way of becoming a major repair or replacement. We like to think of regular service as a way to extend the life of the heat pump and preserve the air quality in your home.
We are a family business and approach your home with the same regard we would our own. Crocker Refrigeration Heating and Air is a Carrier factory authorized dealer, fully licensed and insured, and holds an A+ with the BBB (accredited). Our warranty is the best in the industry.
Do not put it off until the heat pump gives out. Call (805) 965-6326 and we will have it back in shape. We are at your service in Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara and the area.
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