Heat Pump Compressor Not Turning On: What Should You Do?

Hickory Heating and Cooling

30 April 2023

Is your heat pump compressor not turning on? You'll want to fix it quickly to avoid uncomfortable temperatures and skyrocketing energy costs!

If your compressor isn’t turning on, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot, but calling an experienced HVAC technician is often your best bet.

When you need heat pump repair services in Hickory, NC, Hickory Heating and Cooling is here for you. If the problem is too hard to handle yourself, call us at (828) 679-1067 and have our experts take a look!

How to Fix 8 Common Heat Pump Compressor Problems

Heat pumps are energy-efficient HVAC systems that both heat and cool your home. When you install a heat pump, you can even qualify for home energy tax credits. However, heat pumps aren't immune to breakdowns.

Learn about the eight most common issues that cause the heat pump compressor to malfunction and what you can do about them.

1. Replace Dead Thermostat Batteries

If your heat pump doesn't turn on, the issue might not be the compressor at all — it could be the thermostat. If the numbers on the thermostat flash after you replace the batteries, you've fixed it. If the thermostat still doesn't turn on, you'll need a replacement.

2. Consider Getting a New Thermostat

When a thermostat gets old, the sensor reads the indoor temperature inaccurately. It may be telling your heat pump the wrong temperature. Before you assume it's too old, you can try two troubleshooting steps:

Place the thermostat in the room you spend most of your time in. Thermostats only use temperature readings from the rooms they're in and are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Make sure it's not by a heat source like a space heater, stove, or direct sunlight. To avoid it being too cold, make sure it's not near an open window.
Clean the thermostat. Focus on the sensor, but cleaning the entire unit helps.

If these don't work, you likely need a new thermostat.

3. Check the Circuit Breaker for a Tripped Switch

Is your heat pump compressor not turning on? One easy answer might be the power connection!

Check the circuit breaker to make sure it's on and reset any tripped switches. Then make sure the heat pump is still plugged in. If fixing the power connection doesn't work, you have a different problem.

4. Replace Dirty Air Filters

One sure sign of dirty air filters is a heat pump that turns off when it shouldn't. This means it's working extra hard and tripping a circuit. Replacing your air filter should help.

To prevent this issue, replace your heat pump air filter every 30 days.

5. Inspect for Water Leaks

If you have frozen coils in your outdoor unit, extra moisture is the problem. Check your gutter and roof run-off, and make sure your unit has at least two feet of clearance on each side.

If none of those is an issue, you likely have could have a water leak.

6. Remove Obstructions Around the Heat Pump

When air circulation is poor, your heat pump has to work extra hard and can short out. To prevent poor air circulation:

Clean your outdoor unit regularly
Remove any dirt or debris blocking the unit
Trim any plants or leaves encroaching on the unit

7. Refill Refrigerant

The refrigerant draws heat out of the air in your home and carries heat outdoors. If your unit is low on refrigerant fluid, the system can't do its job.

This only happens when there's a leak. Call a Hickory Heating and Cooling expert to find the leak and fix it to keep your heat pump compressor running smoothly.

8. Call Hickory Heating And Cooling for Help

Heat pumps are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. If it gets too hot or cold, your system might shut down or not work properly.

This is a bigger problem in extreme cold. In an attempt to keep up, the heat pump can overwork and short out. Extreme cold can also freeze outdoor evaporator coils, which you'll need an expert to fix.

At Hickory Heating and Cooling, our heat pump experts can examine your heat pump to determine the issue with the compressor. We can answer questions like, "How does a heat pump work?" and provide repairs or upgrades to deliver the heating and cooling power you need.

When your heat pump breaks, call Hickory Heating and Cooling for expert, friendly help. Call us now at (828) 679-1067 to solve the problem of a heat pump compressor not turning on.

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