If your heat pump is constantly running, you must wonder why my heat pump runs so often, right? According to heat pump repair professionals, this can be brought about by several factors that include:
Improperly set thermostat
The thermostat regulates how the heat pump works, and if it’s improperly set up, the chances are high that your heat pump won’t function as properly as it should, one of the problems being it running more often than it should.
If you have set up your thermostat too high or too low, it will trigger the heat pump to run constantly as it tries to keep up with the temperature you have set it for.
The heat pump will also run constantly if you haven’t set up the emergency heat mode.
Dirty air filters
For the heat pump to fun efficiently, it needs a supply of fresh, clean air. If you go for a long time without cleaning the air filters, they tend to clog up with dust and debris, which keeps the heat pump running more constantly than it should.
To fix the problem, you need to clean the air filters. But this isn’t enough—you should make it a habit to clean the filters as regularly as possible. Experts recommend you do it at least once every three months.
Faulty condensate pump
Like the air filters, if the condensate pump isn’t functioning properly or is unplugged, it won’t work as well as it should. And this leads to a variety of problems, including, the heat pump running continuously.
Open doors and windows
If you have left the windows and doors open or cracked, they might let out the heat and allow cold air in. To achieve comfortable temperatures in the house, the heat pump will run constantly, which isn’t healthy.
Leaking refrigerant
The heat pump relies on the refrigerant to absorb and transfer the outside air into the house. If there is a leak, the refrigerant levels dip too low, forcing the heat pump to work harder to absorb the heat. As you can guess, this causes the heat pump to run constantly.
Faulty solenoid valve
Heat pumps are designed to switch between cooling and heating by reversing the direction of the refrigerant. When the solenoid valve is faulty, the heat pump gets stuck in the AC mode, and it constantly runs without reaching the desired temperature.
Running an undersized heat pump.
Like the furnace, AC, or any other unit, when your heat pump is smaller than your house, it will keep running to achieve the desired temperature.
How do you troubleshoot a heat pump that is constantly running?
There are plenty of ways to troubleshoot a heat pump, depending on the cause of the problem. Some of the ways to do this include:
Inspect the thermostat controls
You might think you have a big heat pump problem while you need to check the controls. Before touching any part of the thermostat, check the settings and ensure they are correct.
As a rule of thumb, ensure that the system is set to “heat” or “cool” and the fan isn’t set to “on.” While at it, confirm that the temperature settings are correct.
Take a look at the evaporator coil.
You will find your system’s evaporator coil in the blower compartment or attached to the furnace. If the coils are dirty, grimy, or corroded, chances are they are leaking refrigerant and negatively impacting the functioning of the heat pump.
This often causes the heat pump to lose its efficiency, making it constantly running to make up for the power loss.
Check the outdoor unit.
One of the reasons why the heat pump will run more often than is normal is the defrost cycle’s failure. The heat pump defrosts to get rid of the ice condenser, and constant running is common in summer and winter.
If your outdoor unit is encased in ice and frost, the defrost has failed, and it’s time to get in touch with a heat pump repair service Long Beach to help with the defrosting.