Plenty of homeowners in Waynesboro, VA, depend on a heat pump to provide both cooling and heating. It’s a handy unit that can switch from one mode to the other just by reversing the flow of refrigerant through the system. When a heat pump malfunctions, it may heat when in cooling mode, and vice versa. Read on for some of the common issues behind this.
Broken Reversing Valve
It may all lie with the reversing valve, the actual device that switches the flow of refrigerant. A bad solenoid inside the valve could cause it to get stuck, which would explain why your heat pump still heats rather than cools.
Dirt Over the Coils
Other times, you may only think it’s in heating mode when, in fact, it’s in cooling mode but failing to produce cold air. Dirty evaporator coils and condenser coils can prevent the transfer of heat from your home to the outside, which means your home never gets cool.
Low Refrigerant Charge
You may have a low amount of refrigerant, the very chemical that transfers heat. Yearly maintenance can help you avoid issues like this because the technician will almost always check for refrigerant leaks. In any case, the less refrigerant you have, the more your air will stay warm.
An Undersized Heat Pump
Lastly, your heat pump may fail to produce cold air because its size, in relation to your home’s size, gives it insufficient power. The only solution for this, unfortunately, is to purchase a new, more suitable heat pump.
Family Business Founded in 2014
Valley Air Heating, Cooling & Plumbing can provide heat pump installation or repair services; so call us today for prompt, professional work here in Waynesboro. Our company has BBB accreditation and an A+ rating in addition to a designation as a Trane Comfort Specialist and Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor.
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