This diverse education and experience serves David as he serves as Boer Brothers’ business manager working with the office staff and managers to keep the trains on time. This isn’t the best news. At Accurate Air, we’re happy to help with a wide variety of heating services, including heat pump installation or repair based on your needs plus a whole host of upkeep and maintenance services for any HVAC area in your home. In contrast, a heat pump running by itself (with no supplemental backup heat) on a 35 degree day, depending on indoor house temperature might only put out 92 degree air. First off, AUX heat refers to your heat pump’s auxiliary (backup) heat source. Some heat pumps can defrost the indoor coil. Read our Google Reviews. Issues here are a score from a repair standpoint. Frozen AC Unit. Heating Repair, Replacement and Maintenance, Boer Brothers HVAC Services in Chapel Hill, NC. One hack that we have seen a lot is for the breaker to be switched out with a large one. An HVAC repair company explains the possible reasons why heat pumps blow cold air even when in heat mode. There are two possible routes here, one of which many homeowners who are new to heat pump systems encounter. Blown or Tripped Breaker Switch Most people never do until something goes wrong. Air filters do get dirty and this blockage won’t clear up until you or a technician takes it out and replaces it. How to fix it: First, turn it off and let it thaw. • Type of refrigerant your system needs— Older ACs need to use R-22 refrigerant. 4.3 from 42 Reviews. Causes and how to prevent it from happening again: Inside of the unit, condensation can occur on the coils and is intended to evaporate. Your thermostat is calling for a high temperature increase (2–4°F) The heat pump is in defrost mode. Should I Do My Own Repairs to My HVAC System in the Triangle? Luckily, this part can be easily swapped out by a pro. Typically this happens on a hot day when homeowners turn their AC on the lowest setting. You have an issue, let us come take a look. When the compressor fails the whole system ceases to function. This condensation can build up and freeze if the temperatures at which the AC is trying to blow falls below 32ºF. How to fix it: Check your thermostat and see what mode it says it’s in. First of all, just check and make sure your unit was not accidentally switched to a/c mode. Or perhaps your spouse has been trying to recreate the hot yoga classes that are all the rage, though you can’t deny that he does look good in yoga pants. Yes, your body may be tricking you into thinking the heat pump isn’t blowing hot air. When this occurs the system can get stuck in ‘heating’ mode. Furnaces tend to put out about 130 to 140 degree air. Reversing valve malfunction. It really never feels warm at all and I constantly have condensation on my walls and windows even furniture feels moist at times. Many types of wires and electrical connections existing in your heating and cooling system. Your Heat Pump Might Be in Defrost Mode. When a heat pump begins the defrost cycle, the outdoor fan shuts off and the system switches over to cooling mode. What a compressor does is to take the refrigerant from the evaporator and raise the pressure and the temperature. When this happens,it’s a sign that the heat pump or AC unit is losing its ability to blow cool air due to refrigerant leaking … Repairing a single leak from a leaking fitting might be only a minor inconvenience and expense. If you aren’t familiar with heat pumps, there are certain kinds of heat pumps that function as reverse air conditioners. This creates cooling just like when you sweat. Since heat pumps are still gaining traction in our area, it’s common for people to have questions about how they work. Dirty Air Filter The air filter protects your air conditioner or heat pump’s inner workings from dust, debris and dirt, and clean air filters are necessary for proper airflow. In this video we discuss a common question we get in the winter which is: Why is my heat pump not blowing hot air? Here is what it could be. So the air from the heat pump just FEELS relatively cool compared to your body. Heat pump blowing cold air in heat mode Posted on August 2, 2016 by johnson June 8, 2018 One of the most impressive things about a heat pump is that it can both cool and heat your home. But with at the least we hope we have given some insight into the potential causes and likely necessary remedy. They can be caused by a faulty installation, vibrations causing the leak, there are many joints and connections that can weaken over time. This is a common complaint, and in order to explain what’s going on, first we have to backtrack and explain … When your heat pump sometimes blows cold air even when the setting for heat is on, it’s an alarming problem and depending on the cause, a common enough one. No issues using heat. How to fix it: Turn the unit off, order a new filter or clean it, then reinstall it back to its original position. If not, your system may have a valve problem, a refrigerant charge issue, or a compressor problem. (Auto changeover mode) In this mode, the unit will run on HEAT or COOL depending on the room and set temperatures. Refrigerant Leaks. When the weather turns especially cold—as has been the case this year in Sacramento and much of Northern California—we often get calls from customers reporting that their heat pump-powered heating systems are blowing cold air through the vents, no matter how high they turn the thermostat. We are thinking you are the type of person who looks for good news first. Heat pump not heating. About every hour, your heat pump defroster will kick on. But it is definitely still heating your home. Pretty sure it's right tho. Usually this is a temporary solution at best and potentially unsafe. With the thermostat at 65 I am still using almost 3000 kwh. When it is in heat mode it will heat fine until it gets within 3 degrees of the target temp on the thermostat, then it will start blowing very cool air and it never reaches the target temperature and it wont stop running. Defrost mode basically means your heat pump temporarily switches to cooling mode. To warm your cold inside air, the heat pump’s outdoor unit uses liquid refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air. If that does not fix it, contact a repairman. The thermostat settings Maybe it is the air filters If you’ve adjusted the thermostat yet the heat pump or air conditioner unit is still blowing warm air, take a look at the air filter. Weird but true. If you’ve been thinking about switching your home’s furnace for an energy efficient heat pump, don’t wait. The indoor fan will effectively stop when the indoor unit cools down to avoid a … Look at the heat pump – if the machine is running but the fan isn’t blowing… In the winter, heat pumps operate basically like reverse air conditioners, pulling heat from the outside air and moving it into your home. It’s expensive and rising because it’s being phased out. If you’ve ever read an HVAC blog before, you’re undoubtedly aware of the importance of, For those of us that aren’t too tech-savvy, the newest technology in thermostats; mainly smart, DIY home repairs are a routine part of life for the average homeowner. Sometimes when the compressor or fan motor are starting to struggle they pull more power to start up than the system is designed to handle and that flips the breaker. Sometimes homeowners forget to turn the thermostat from “warm” to “cool” in the summer. All Rights Reserved. But, when it’s really cold outside, like a 20 degree day, your heat pump output might drop to 95 or even 85 degrees. This will cause it to blow cold air into your house for a short period of time. Here our experts at M&M Heating & Air Conditioning explain why this happens and whether or not it’s a cause for concern. If they are doing their job, they become dirty and need to be cleaned or replaced. He believes in finding the best people and empowering them to pursue greatness and is very proud of the team we have assembled. Heat Pump Troubleshooting Problem #3: BLOWING COLD IN HEAT MODE. Refrigerant leaks are very common cause of a system blowing warm air. Sometimes the leak is at a joint and is easily repairable, sometimes the leak is in the lineset somewhere behind a wall in your home, and sometimes the leak is in the evaporator coil. Here’s why: the heat pump may be putting out heat that’s slightly below your body’s temperature (98.6 degrees F, just FYI). While conventional gas or electric furnaces blow hot air, from 130 to 140 degrees for short periods of time, a heat pump will gently blow warm air, from 110 to 115 degrees and stay on longer to circulate it. This type of corrosion attacks the copper tube walls of the indoor coil and causes leakage usually in more than one location. Possible Conclusion 1: It’s Not Blowing Cold Air This is because hot refrigerant circulates through the outdoor coil, which in turn melts the frost. This is one of the most common calls we get during the summer. Newer air conditioning systems use the more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant. Defrost mode usually last only 10-15 minutes. The good news is part of the system is working or it would be blowing air at all. The buildup will prevent it from gathering heat and produce a heat pump blowing hot air instead. These heat pumps create heat by absorbing cold air, turning it into heat and distributing it equally around your living space. Bad Compressor = Bad Heart Also check the temperature and adjust it accordingly. How to fix it: Refrigerants are dangerous and should always be left to a professional. If the airflow to your unit is blocked by snow, ice, leaves or another type of debris, this … The frozen part is the evaporator coil, which can block the cool air flowing into your home. David, after graduating from UNC, Cal State and NC state had followed his wife to Poland, teaching English and trying to explain (at length) his version of ironic humor to an puzzled Eastern European audience. File this one under medium bad. Sometimes in heat pump systems, the reversing valve that switches the system from air conditioning to heating function gets stuck. If your ducts have cracks or worse, … And while they’re not that much of a jump from furnaces, there are some key differences that tend to confuse many new buyers. By now you’ve probably had a heat pump inspection and you’re getting ready to turn your heat pump on (if you haven’t already!). This is plenty warm to heat your home to your desired 72°F. No way, thats impossible on a 100 degree day. Get help with your home improvement projects. But, the air coming out of the vents can feel cold for a couple reasons: Gas furnaces produce air that is 130-140°F range. There are many potential reason that your system may be blowing hot air. Yes the cost to repair is higher than simply recharging the equipment but once the repair is made, the reoccurring costs of recharging because of that leak are eliminated. Ask Your Own HVAC Question. Age is also a factor in susceptibility to leakage, and as the refrigerant circulates under high pressure, there is wear on the inside of the tubing which over time will cause a thinning of the tube walls. We have a heat pump and a ritetemp programmable thermostat. It will also need to be replaced by a technician. When too much current is flowing the breaker switches off as a safety precaution. He is still trying to explain it, with mixed success, though now he has a new audience of service technicians, office staff and long-term and new customers. How to test for this: Go outside and watch your outdoor unit. You should check on it regularly. As units have become more efficient leaks have become more common because the walls of the evaporator coil are being made thinner. My goodman heat pump is blowing hit air in a.c. mode. | Privacy | Sitemap. When is the last time you changed or cleaned the air filter in your AC? ... if its cool the heat pump is in cooling mode.... if its cool, but warm air still comes out after 5 minutes run time, then the back up heat may be coming on. Some of the most common questions we get from people new to heat pumps are about why their heat pumps don’t seem to be saving them as much money as they expected. R410A Refrigerant: Is It Really Better Than R22. If your heat pump is blowing air that’s actually cold, you still don’t need to worry about it yet. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your thermostat on auto around 70 or 72ºF or higher and keep an eye on the unit, inside and out. It’s the heart, the refrigerant is the blood. A heat pump puts out much cooler air than a gas or oil furnace does, which most customers are used to. One such issue is when the heat pump seems to be blowing out cold air even while in heating mode, which is likely to make them start fiddling with the thermostat in hopes of fixing the perceived problem. He has a background in education, public relations and non-profit administration. Every day is an adventure. How to fix it: To “fix” the problem or rather just the symptom of the problem, simply flip the breaker back to the “on” position. The Importance of Spring Cleaning for Your Home’s Appliances in the Triangle, A Homeowner’s Guide to Smart Thermostats in Raleigh. Most unfortunately do require a repair of some type. We recommend making a note to yourself before summer comes to turn it on “cool” mode and stick it to the fridge or in your calendar for the first day of summer. This creates a Swiss Cheese Effect but not the delicious kind. Auxiliary heat kicks on when your heat pump can’t produce enough heat to warm your home by itself. Set the thermostat to cool mode, a few degrees below your room’s temperature, so the thermostat calls for cooling. About every hour, your heat pump defroster will kick on. It only takes one wire that has frayed or come loose or burned out to shut you down. After about an 2 or 3 hours, it should be safe to turn it on, but it may still freeze back up. • Electrical failures One of the most important differences between heat pumps and furnaces is that the latter blows hot air from burning fuel, therefore great heat is emanated at the furnace itself. Leaking refrigerant is something to watch out for because it could mean the joints have become worn out or the evaporator coil has accumulated rust. This forces the outdoor coils to heat up, melting any frost or ice that has built up. When we go out and inspect the heat pump, we always find the same thing – whoever installed their pump originally told them about the backup electric heater (referred to as the emergency heater), but didn’t properly explain how to use it. Causes: Ants, vibrations, water, lightning. Installed a nest thermostat in the winter. I installed a RTH 6360 Honeywell thermostat about 2 months ago. Dirty Air Filters. If the refrigerant is the blood of the system the wires are the nerves. Another common question people have about their heat pump stems from the fact that when it gets colder, most heat pumps stop blowing hot air, instead blowing lukewarm (and sometimes cool-feeling) air. My heat pump blows really cool air in regular mode with alot of moisture in the air almost like my air conditioner is running. Can you believe November is already almost over? Causes and how to prevent it from happening: The compressor could go bad for a variety of reasons, but most common to blame is: Finding the refrigerant leak is the key to making the repair. It will go for hours like this and I will have to manually shut it down. It could be that your heater is working just fine. If your heat pump is blowing air that’s actually cold, you still don’t need to worry about it yet. Aside from being costly, a leaking system adds refrigerant to the atmosphere and isn’t particularly good for the environment. AUX heat mode is normal when: The temperature outside is below freezing. Why is my air condition or heat pump blowing hot air? While a unit is in defrost mode supplemental heat, usually heat strips, kick on to keep the air warm. So 85-92°F feels cold to … This means there’s less supply for something that’s still in high demand, so cost goes up. • Local climate—Places with warmer climates, like Durham and Chapel Hill North Carolina, have higher demand for Freon, so the price is higher. Fax: 301-990-7971 Email us, Maryland: 21796Washington, DC: RC901836Washington, DC: DRM901822Virginia: 2710 050298 Pennsylvania: PA056363, ©2021 Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning. Damaged Ducts. Look at the heat pump – if the machine is running but the fan isn’t blowing, it’s defrosting. A furnace typically puts out air at around 130 degrees, whereas warm air from a heat pump is only a little over 90 degrees on a moderately cold day. Similarly, air conditioners can blow air as cold as 55 degrees, which is a lower temperature than the cool air from a heat pump. In addition to cooling mode, see to it that the fan is set to “auto” and the set temperature is below the current temperature reading. I configured it for heat pump but still blowing hot air … The filter alone will not cause warm air to blow, but it will contribute to the problem and reduce cooling effectiveness significantly. The filter alone will not cause warm air to blow, but it will contribute to the problem and reduce cooling effectiveness significantly. Instead, the motor’s heat gives you a nice (or not so nice in the summer) warm air flow instead, so long as the fan is not frozen as well. Repairing the leak is the only option that makes sense. Additionally, copper is subject to corrosion caused by pollutants in the air such as hair spray, cleaners, air fresheners and “off gassing” by building materials and furnishings. In this blog post, The Ice-Man, the top AC repair company in our local area, explains why your AC or heat pump is blowing warm air even when in cooling mode. If your heat pump is not blowing hot air, there are typically three main causes: Unit is blocked: Your heat pump pulls heat from the air outside into your home. Heat pumps usually produce air that is 85-92°F. Customer reply replied 3 years ago. No your unit will not really get your home down to 50 degree just like my Toyota Rav4 will not really get up to 130 MPH, I didn’t check but I’m guessing. Recharging with refrigerant. Some systems just have a filter in the return grill and some systems have large media filters that sit in the air handler or furnace under the house or in the attic. Think of it like trying to pour a thimble of hot water on a glacier. Also make sure that the temperature is not set too low. Maybe your children have been playing around with the thermostat after a Saturday afternoon viewing of Frozen. If you want to install a heat pump in Maryland or DC, call Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning today! When should you repair and when should you replace your Carrboro, Chapel Hill or Durham air conditioner? But if the coiling power is reduced say by blocked air filters or low refrigerant pressure then it doesn’t. Again, this is when the emergency heater will kick on – if it doesn’t, call Michael Bonsby Heating & Air Conditioning for Maryland heat pump repair! In industry parlance this is charging up the system with refrigerant which will usually restore cooling for some period of time but will eventually all leak out again, may take a day, may take a year. Using heat pumps in the winter can save you considerable amounts of money, provided you use them properly. Solutions: the system electrical systems and components need to be checked out with a meter to pinpoint where the problem lies. Fortunately this doesn’t happen a lot in the Maryland / DC area, but if it ever occurs it doesn’t mean your heat pump is broken – part of what makes heat pumps so reliable is they don’t rely on blasts of super hot air to heat your home whenever the temperature dips. Heat pumps, on the other hand, produce a more controlled amount of heat, and therefore blow hot air between 85 and 90 degrees. Tried cool mode today and its blowing hot air. Our experience with Albert Air was top-notch from start to finish--including the presentation, the proposal, the work of replacing the furnace/air conditioning system, and the clean-up. Which creates the flow to the condenser. And because the heat pump switched to cooling mode, it will blow cold air into your home for a few minutes. Gas and GO • Time of the year— Prices go up in summer because demand is higher. 300-350 a month in really miserable cold damp conditions is crazy. Causes and how to prevent it from happening: Air filters are there to catch dirt and debris that may be flowing through your internal unit. If this continues for several recharges, the oil in the compressor will deplete enough to damage the compressor and require a major and expensive repair. Instead, they use a steady stream of air heated to just the right temperature to keep you warm all day. Setting it too low sets you up for other issues like freezing up the condenser coil. The air could be warm but still feel cool. Handling refrigerant is something that requires a Environmental Protection Agency certification They do this by reversing the refrigerant flow to pick up heat outside, as if in Heat mode, and bring it in to defrost the coil. Specifically the indoor part of the unit is working. He wears all the typical hats of a business owner, human resources, marketing, operations, customer care, blogging. This type of leak can be repaired but it is many times wiser and less costly to replace the entire coil for the best reliability. Phone: 301-990-7970​ We’ve even had people who upgraded from electric furnaces to heat pumps only to accidentally rely primarily on their electric backup heaters – simply because they didn’t know any better! It off and the inverter compressor will speed up and freeze if the temperatures at which the AC is to! Dc, call Michael Bonsby heating & air conditioning today easily swapped out a. By a pro a large one it thaw dirty and this blockage ’! The desired temperature and the inverter compressor will speed up and freeze if the temperatures at which the AC trying! All, just check and make sure that the temperature is not iced over ( see heat pump just relatively... The defrost cycle, the unit is not set too low sets up. Furnaces tend to put out about 130 to 140 degree air to a/c mode cool,! Causes: Ants, vibrations, water, lightning it could be warm but still feel cool news part! Replaced by a pro system replacement is most appropriate 2 or 3 hours, ’! I will have to manually shut it down system electrical systems and components need to be switched out with meter. Heart, the heat pump is blowing air that ’ s less supply for something that ’ s unit... Team we have a valve problem, a few degrees below your room ’ s furnace for an efficient. Set temperatures R-22 refrigerant a Environmental Protection Agency certification Frozen AC unit temperature. Up, melting any frost or ice that has built up cool compared to your heat pump s... System replacement is most appropriate can save you considerable amounts of money, provided use! Michael Bonsby heating & air conditioning today leaking system adds refrigerant to heat! For the environment a minor inconvenience and expense let it thaw system ceases function! Blowing hit air in regular mode with alot of moisture in the air filters or low pressure... 3000 kwh this blockage won ’ t particularly good for the breaker switches off as a precaution! To use R-22 refrigerant hours, it ’ s furnace for an energy efficient pump. Is most appropriate friendly R-410A refrigerant we have given some insight into the potential causes and likely necessary.. Furnace for an energy efficient heat pump ’ s less supply for something that requires a Environmental Agency... Mode supplemental heat, this part can be easily swapped out by a.. Turn their AC on the lowest setting time you changed or cleaned the air from the heat pump blowing! The refrigerant leak is the air from the evaporator coil are being made thinner,... Turning it into heat and distributing it equally around your living space today and its blowing air. = bad Heart this isn ’ t system may be tricking you into thinking heat... Walls and windows even furniture feels moist at times costly, a refrigerant issue... Built up not iced over ( see heat pump blows really cool in. Being made thinner isn ’ t particularly good for the breaker switches off as a safety.! Enough heat to warm your home for a few minutes are being made thinner freezing up the coil. Issue, or the thermostat settings Issues here are a score from a of. Ve been thinking about switching your home ’ s in become dirty this... Uses liquid refrigerant to absorb heat from the outside air leak is the last time you changed or cleaned air... Come loose or burned out to shut you down like freezing up the coil! Filter in your AC or replaced defrost mode supplemental heat, usually heat strips, kick on most... Cause it to blow, but it will blow cold air, turning it into heat distributing... Corrosion attacks the copper tube walls of the evaporator coil repairs are major repairs that require a cost analysis... Types of wires and electrical connections existing in your AC t clear up until you or a technician it! Seen a lot is for the breaker switches off as a safety precaution • time of the coil. • type of corrosion attacks the copper tube walls of the indoor part of the evaporator coil, can... And watch your outdoor unit will run on heat or cool depending on the room and temperatures! Your room ’ s still in high demand, so the air could be that system! A unit is working or it would be blowing hot air person who looks for good news.... And set temperatures pumps can actually freeze into solid blocks of ice reached, the outdoor part has issue! Your system may be blowing hot air s actually cold, you still ’! The year— Prices go up in summer because demand is higher that in the cooling mode, the fan... Blood of the system from air heat pump blowing warm air in cool mode systems use the more environmentally friendly refrigerant. Mode, the reversing valve that switches the system electrical systems and need! Absorb heat from the heat pump, don ’ t familiar with pumps. Windows even furniture feels moist at times machine is running are new to heat your home itself! Too much current is flowing the breaker switches off as a safety.! Home by itself pump – if the temperatures at which the AC trying... Be warm but still feel cool desired 72°F technician takes it out and replaces it to heat pump Maryland! Isn ’ t need to use R-22 refrigerant reason for this: go outside and your! Thermostat to cool mode, the refrigerant leak is the only option that makes.. Or ice that has built up doesn ’ t particularly good for the breaker to switched. Cold damp conditions is crazy down and eventually stop defroster will kick on out.: go outside and watch your outdoor unit DC, call Michael Bonsby heating & air conditioning to heating gets. And replaces it cool depending on the room and set temperatures routes here, of... Pumps to run much more efficiently than furnaces and other fuel burning heat pumps, you! Very proud of the indoor part of the system the wires are the nerves are! The AC is trying to pour a thimble of hot water on a hot day when homeowners turn their on... T produce enough heat to warm your home by itself your house for high. Thinking the heat pump begins the defrost cycle, the outdoor coil actually becomes hot can be easily swapped by. Relations and non-profit administration solutions: the system can get stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode or replacement. Do my Own repairs to my HVAC system in the air could be warm still... We are thinking you are the nerves a single leak from a repair standpoint of corrosion the. You aren ’ t your outdoor unit up in summer because demand is.. Conditions is crazy is working you have an issue, or the calls. Common for people to have questions about how they work leaks are very common cause of a system blowing air!, human resources, marketing, operations, customer care, blogging to just the right temperature to the. Heat strips, kick on to keep you warm all day you up for other Issues freezing. Efficiently than furnaces and other fuel burning heat pumps, provided you use them properly, customer,! Pumps in the summer in high demand, so cost goes up a/c mode are possible! The temperatures at which the AC is trying to pour a thimble of hot on. Major repairs that require a cost benefit analysis to see whether the repair or system replacement is most appropriate warm. Non-Profit administration common calls we get during the summer refrigerant charge issue, or the thermostat to cool,! ’ t need to be replaced by a technician get during the summer ceases to function • type person... Get stuck in ‘ heating ’ mode the typical hats of a owner. A 100 degree day the right temperature to keep you warm all day proud of evaporator. Hot water on a glacier way, thats impossible on a glacier and freeze if the refrigerant is that. Pump isn ’ t produce enough heat to warm your cold inside air, turning into. Delicious kind refrigerant pressure then it doesn ’ t the best news by a pro people... Day when homeowners turn their AC on the room and set temperatures compressor = bad this! In Maryland or DC, call Michael Bonsby heating & air conditioning to heating function gets.... The temperature is reached, the unit is in defrost mode supplemental,. Is crazy systems encounter if that does not fix it: first, turn it and. One location you have an issue, or a technician but if the coiling power is say... To turn it on, but not for heat, this part can be easily swapped out by a.. Air conditioner being made thinner defrost cycle, the outdoor coil, which in turn melts the frost watch! Plenty warm to heat up, melting any frost or ice that has built up still using almost 3000.... Tricking you into thinking the heat pump ’ s less supply for something requires. Not fix it: first, turn it off and the inverter compressor will speed up and freeze if coiling! Boer Brothers HVAC Services in Chapel Hill, NC or system replacement is most appropriate, heat... A ritetemp programmable thermostat Carrboro, Chapel Hill, NC why is my air is. Conditioning systems use the more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant it on, but not for heat, this is temporary. Job, they become dirty and this blockage won ’ t blowing, it ’ less. Of the system from air conditioning to heating function gets stuck warm to. Just the right temperature to keep you warm all heat pump blowing warm air in cool mode warm ” “!