4 Reasons Your Heat Pump Might Not Be Working Properly in Townsend, MT

Heat pumps are unarguably the biggest improvement we’ve seen in the HVAC industry in a long while. These powerful units can cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter. Thanks to the weather here in Townsend, MT, many homeowners now have one of these installed.



Unfortunately, heat pumps aren’t all-powerful, infallible units. You may return home to your heat pump not working properly (or at all) at some point. But as the leading name for heating repair in Townsend, MT, we can tell you that the cause of the breakdown is usually due to the same few issues. We’ll look at four of them in this post.

1. You Have a Broken or Malfunctioning Thermostat

Thermostat malfunction is one of the leading causes of all HVAC problems. So, before you start looking at your heat pump, you should look at the thermostat first. You probably have a thermostat problem if your heat pump:

• Turns on and off randomly
• Switches between heating and cooling
• Refuses to run a cycle for a long time
• Doesn’t deliver the temperature on the thermostat’s LCD display

If you notice any of the above issues, try resetting the thermostat or replacing the batteries. If that doesn’t yield any results, your heat pump’s problems might lie elsewhere.

2. Your Heat Pump Has Electrical Problems

Like most HVAC systems, heat pumps rely on electricity to function. Electrical issues often mean complete system failure, as the compressor, fan, and other components will not work.

If you come back to your heat pump not working, check the circuit breaker to see if it tripped. If it did, reset it and try turning on the heat pump again. If it runs briefly and trips the breaker again, shut it down and call an HVAC technician.

Similarly, you shouldn’t try to power on the heat pump multiple times if the outdoor component makes clicking noises and still doesn’t start. This is important to avoid causing irreparable damage to your unit.

3. You Have a Refrigerant Leak

Is your heat pump working but struggling to produce enough warm or cool air to keep your home comfortable? Can you hear hissing sounds from around the outdoor unit? These are clear signs of a leak in the refrigerant line.

Just like in a conventional air conditioner, the refrigerant in your heat pump is crucial to its function. Any drop in the refrigerant levels will make it harder for the unit to move heat in and out of your home. Fixing this problem is not a DIY task nor a job for an inexperienced technician.

Any mistakes can render your heat pump unusable.

An experienced HVAC technician can get your heat pump working perfectly again by first addressing the leak and then topping it off with the right type of refrigerant.

4. The Unit Struggles With Airflow Obstruction

Your heat pump won’t function optimally if it can’t move air freely due to an obstruction. If you notice your heat pump not working properly, and you’ve ruled out the other possible causes above in your troubleshooting, you should check for airflow obstruction.

The best place to start is with the air filter. Clogged air filters can make it harder for your heat pump to work effectively. If you’ve only recently replaced the filters, you should check for blocked vents and registers or dirt and debris around the outdoor unit.

If the weather outside is freezing, you should check to confirm that you don’t have frozen coils. Your heat pump should run a defrost cycle if the weather drops too low to the point of freezing, but it’s not uncommon for a system malfunction to prevent it. Restarting the unit should get the defrost cycle to kick in.

Get Custom Diagnosis for Your Heat Pump From Your Local Pros in Townsend, MT

Is your heat pump not working optimally? Have you done your best with DIY troubleshooting without success? Contact our experienced crew here at Premier Systems.  Our technicians can diagnose and repair all models of heat pump systems.



You can count on us for pinpoint accuracy and speedy, error-free repairs. We’ll get your unit working perfectly again in no time. What’s more? We’re a truly local company, so you’ll never have to wait too long for service. Call us today to book an appointment.

For further reading, check out this post on telling if your water heater has burned out.