What Causes a Heat Pump to Go Bad? – An Explanation for Your Broken Heat Pump and What to Do Going Forward
SUMMARY
Are you noticing a sudden increase in energy bills? Or a strange rattling, screeching, or buzzing noise from your heat pump? Maybe you’ve noticed new hot or cold spots in your home that were not there before. This could be a sign that your heat pump is going bad, and you might need to repair or replace it. But what could’ve caused this? You’ve not done anything different when maintaining your heat pump or not done anything to it. If you’re interested in finding the answer, read on to discover the cause and the potential solution!
Top Two Common Mechanical Failures For a Heat Pump
Compressor Issues
One of the most common issues for a heat pump is compressor issues. Compressor issues can significantly impact the performance and efficiency of your heat pump. Luckily, common signs indicate compression failure for your heat pump. One of them is unusual noises. What kind of noises? Noises like ticking, clicking, or grinding can hint at a failure within your heat pump compressor. A loud or erratic noise can also suggest internal damage or debris obstruction. Other signs can be your heat pump failing to circulate the warm and cold air in your home effectively, lower airflow from your house vents, and if your compressor frequently trips your circuit breakers.
The common cause of compressor issues are refrigerant problems, electrical issues, or mechanical failures. Refrigerants that receive low refrigerant charge can cause overheating and stress on the compressor, while excessive refrigerant charge can lead to flooding in the evaporator and liquid slugging within the compressor. Both causes can damage the compressor over time. For electrical issues, bad capacitors and power surges can damage the compressor and cause it to short circuit through overheating. Other factors could be simply long term wear and tear on the compressor, especially if it is old.
Fan Motor Malfunctions
Another common mechanical heat pump failure is fan motor malfunctions. The fan motor is a part of the heat pump that helps maintain the efficiency and reliability of your heat pump system. Some common signs could be that the fan doesn’t start, even if the heat pump is turned on. Another sign is slow rotating fan blades, which reduce airflow and cause inefficient heating and cooling. Other signs can be rattling, grinding, or humming noises coming from the unit. (Keep in mind, it is different from the clicking, grinding, or ticking noises, which are an indication something is wrong with the compressor.) Another sign is the motor becoming excessively hot while it is active. This overheating can cause permanent damage to the heat pump fan motor and lead to complete failure of the unit if the problem is not addressed.
Environmental Factors that Damage a Heat Pump
Dirt and Debris Buildup
Dirt and debris buildup can damage your heat pump. It affects its longevity, performance, and efficiency if you allow the dirt and debris to build up so much that it negatively affects your heat pump. One negative side effect can be impaired heat transfer. Dirt and debris can gather on the outdoor coils of the heat pump, which will obstruct air flow and reduce the system’s ability to dissipate heat. This will lead to inefficient heat exchange and force the heat pump to work harder, which will increase energy consumption (and your bills) and the wear on the heat pump’s components. Other things dirt and debris buildup can affect heat pumps are reducing airflow, clogging condensation drains, and poor air quality. All of this will shorten your heat pump’s lifespan and affect your house’s airflow. That is why ensuring your heat pump stays clear of dirt and debris is important.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Extreme weather conditions are another common natural cause that can cause heat pumps to perform poorly. Extremely cold and extremely hot weather can cause heat pumps to go bad. Cold weather conditions mean outdoor temperatures will drop. This makes it harder for the heat pump to extract heat from the air to use to heat air. Frost can also accumulate on the heat pump’s outdoor coils, obstructing airflow and forcing it to work harder. These issues can make it highly uncomfortable for home owners by not providing adequate heating for homes in the winter.
The other side of the spectrum is hot weather challenges. Heat pumps may operate continuously during extreme heat without any sign of slowing down to generate cool air for the summer. This continuous use can cause mechanical failure and reduce lifespan if not taken care of. Higher humidity levels can also strain the system since it is working harder to remove moisture from the air while cooling. As a result, it can result in increased energy bills since the hat pump is working harder to maintain the cool air temperature.
Heat Pump Issues Caused by Human Error and Neglect
Improper Installation
Sometimes many of the issues from your heat pump can be traced back to the source, an HVAC company that didn’t install your heat pump properly. You need to go with a reliable, knowledgeable company when it comes to heat pump installation. Common signs of improper installation are installing a heat pump that is too large, too small, or not properly located. Poor ductwork, wiring, or line set installation can all lead to inefficient heat pumps that will raise the cost of your energy bill, cause overheating, generate insufficient airflow, and even be a potential safety hazard.
Lack of Regular Maintenance
However, it is also up to you, the homeowner, to be a good steward of your heat pump and manage it responsibly. For example, if you skip scheduling regular checks and inspections of your heat pump, minor problems you would’ve caught early can escalate into large problems. If you fail to clean or replace your heat pump filters, they can become dirty and clogged. This will cause them to work harder, increasing energy costs and possibly overheating them. This will shorten its lifespan.
Other forms of neglect can be failing to clean the outdoor unit. You should maintain your outdoor unit by disposing of any snow or leaves around your unit that can block airflow. Other things you should check are if there are any refrigerant leaks. It would help if you got that fixed posthaste if you see a puddle of water near or under the heat pump. Lastly, suppose you don’t try calibrating or replacing a functioning thermostat. In that case, it will result in inconsistent heating and cooling and increase your energy bill since the system struggles to maintain desired room temperatures for your house.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to monitor the health of your heat pump and stay up to date on your annual heat pump inspection checks to catch any minor problems that might arise. It is also important to clean and maintain your heat pump and be aware of any changes that have occurred with it. Inevitably, your heat pump will break down, which is why it’s vital to go with a reputable and reliable company when it comes to heat pump repair or installation. That’s where Ambient Cooling and Heating can help you! We offer our professional HVAC services, as well as our expert knowledge when it comes to heat pumps. We ensure excellent customer service by being transparent and putting your wants and needs front and center. If you need an inspection for your heat pump, to repair your heat pump or a heat pump replacement, you can contact us at (410) 761-0932 or schedule a free consultation with us today.
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